In Rome, environmental activists blacken the water of the Barcaccia fountain

Published on : 04/01/2023 – 15:53

Environmental activists blackened the water in a monumental Roman fountain in Rome’s Spanish Steps on Saturday 1^er April, at a protest they said evoked an “end of the world” scenario.

Three activists from the Last Generation organization poured vegetable-based liquid carbon into the Barcaccia, a 17th-century Baroque masterpiece.^e century located at the foot of the Trinité-des-Monts staircase, before being escorted by the police.

The fountain, in the shape of a boat, was designed by the famous Italian sculptor Pietro Bernini.

Turning the water black “foreshadows the ‘end of the world’ scenario we are heading towards, as we step harder and harder on the accelerator: drought alternating with devastating floods, which will end life on Earth “, said Last Generation in a press release.

A “bad” move

“Rome is at the forefront of the fight against climate change and the protection of its artistic heritage. Throwing black liquid in the Barcaccia and risking damaging it is an absolutely bad gesture that does not help the environment”, tweeted the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri.

Last Generation began staging peaceful but disruptive protests in Italy last year ahead of the general election, urging politicians of all parties to make climate change their priority.

>> See also: Shock actions and “non-violence”… Diving into the heart of the new ecological activism in Europe

The protests in Italy are part of a series of actions across Europe to draw attention to climate change.

Activists doused soup, mashed potatoes or washable paint on various heritage sites or art objects in museums.

With AFP