Director of the Academy Gallery compares Florence to a 'prostitute' and sparks outrage in Italy. Cecilie Hollberg, patron of the museum which houses Michelangelo's statue of David, told the press on the sidelines of an event.
Comments deemed “serious and offensive” according to the Italian Minister of Culture. The Academy Gallery later released a statement in which Ms. Hollberg apologized “for using inappropriate words” about a city she loves.. Other officials in Italy have expressed concern about the impact of overtourism, particularly in cities like Florence and Venice.