The mayor of an Italian town has issued a public apology after a controversial decision to construct a seasonal ice rink around a statue of the late, great opera singer Luciano Pavarotti. The incident has provoked outrage from the tenor's family, who labelled the move "ridiculing".
Statue Submerged in Seasonal Attraction
The life-sized bronze statue of Luciano Pavarotti was unveiled just last year in the town of Pesaro, where the singer made his home. However, this winter, the monument found itself at the centre of a cultural storm. Local authorities built a public ice skating rink that entirely encircled the statue, leaving the figure of Pavarotti appearing knee-deep in the frozen surface.
Skaters were actively encouraged to interact with the artwork, even being invited to give it a "high-five" as they glided past. A photo shared by Mayor Andrea Biancini initially promoted this unusual setup, seemingly treating the statue as part of the festive attraction.
Family Fury and Mayoral U-Turn
The reaction from Pavarotti's widow, Nicoletta Mantovani, was swift and severe. She expressed profound dismay, calling the placement of the rink a "terrible thing" that not only risked damage to the statue but also amounted to "ridiculing" her husband's memory. She emphasised the potential danger the situation posed to both the artwork and the public.
Faced with this fierce criticism, Mayor Biancini performed a swift U-turn. He publicly admitted that "we made a mistake" and expressed his personal disappointment over the misjudgement. His apology, made on Tuesday 2 December 2025, aimed to defuse the growing controversy.
Apology Issued But Dispute Continues
Despite the mayor's contrition, the dispute is far from resolved. Reports indicate that, as of the apology, the bronze statue remains within the confines of the ice rink. This ongoing situation has failed to satisfy the Pavarotti family.
Nicoletta Mantovani has stated her intention to seek a full and formal explanation from Pesaro's City Council, indicating the apology alone is insufficient. The episode highlights the delicate balance between creating public amenities and respecting cultural heritage and the memory of national icons.
