Residents of Palermo are divided over the wedding celebrations of British pop star Dua Lipa and actor Callum Turner, which are taking place in the Sicilian capital this weekend. While some are proud to host the high-profile event, others complain about road closures, security cordons and disruption to daily life.
Concetta Chillemi, a shop owner near the Galleria d’Arte Moderna, said she had to look up Dua Lipa’s music after the couple holidayed in Palermo last summer. 'Sometimes it feels as though the city is becoming a theme park,' she said, echoing concerns about mass tourism.
Clarissa, a bar worker, said: 'I really like Dua Lipa’s music, but it has brought a lot of problems – for three days we’ve been forced to park miles away. It’s not right to block the city – I could understand if it was for the pope, but not for a singer.'
However, Concetta Picciuca, a hotel worker and fan, welcomed the event. 'I think it’s good for the economy,' she said. 'Perhaps people should come to work by bike instead of by car.'
The couple arrived by private jet on Thursday and are staying at Villa Igiea. Guests reportedly include Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Donatella Versace, Harry Styles and Robbie Williams. The celebrations will move to Bagheria on Saturday, where the mayor is pleased with the 'visibility' but some locals are less enthusiastic.
