Museum with figures dressed as Nazi soldiers, Zaia's apology arrives

After the controversy came an apology from the president of the Veneto Region, Luca Zaia. In fact, his Facebook post in which the governor promoted the refurbishment of the Great Command Bunker in Recoaro Terme has caused quite an uproar: the World War II bunker, the headquarters of Field Marshal Albert Kesselring’s command, as of this summer is in fact hosting an immersive experience where figurants dressed as Wehrmacht soldiers also appear and accompany the public.

The initiative was disliked by many who felt offended that there is a place where reenactments are done with guides dressed in Nazi Germany army soldiers’ uniforms. And Luca Zaia therefore felt it his duty to apologize, making a premise: “All activities on social profiles regarding the promotion of the territory (tourism, festivals, fairs, markets, art, culture, valuable locations, naturalistic areas, exhibitions, museums, etc., etc.),” the Veneto Region wrote in a note, “are carried out in absolute autonomy by a special structure.” The Recoaro museum’s initiative, the Palazzo Balbi statement explained, “had been reported by the Recoaro Spa Association to the relevant department of the Region, which, in turn, had forwarded it to the structure that follows social profiles; the President of the Region has no visibility nor (obviously) exercises and can exercise direct and constant control over these matters, but rather deals personally only with content related to posts concerning administrative, political, health activities, including on the basis of official releases issued by the Press Office.”

Thus, “the Presidency,” the note concludes, “apologizes, on behalf of the responsible structure, to all parties who felt in any way hurt by this post, whose intent was certainly not to offend sensitivities and memories. In order to avoid further inconvenience, an order has been given to delete the post.” The post in fact no longer appears on the president’s wall. Will this gesture be enough to quell the controversy?

Pictured is the Great Command Bunker. Photo Roberto Rizzotto

Museum with figures dressed as Nazi soldiers, Zaia's apology arrives

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