Residents of Venice were met with an unusual and mesmerizing sight on a Sunday morning as a patch of fluorescent green water appeared in the iconic Grand Canal. The vibrant hue immediately caught the attention of onlookers and raised questions about its origin and potential environmental implications.
Luca Zaia, the president of the Veneto region, took to Twitter to share the news and express concern. He mentioned that the phosphorescent green liquid was reported by residents near the Rialto Bridge, a famous landmark in Venice. Urgent meetings were called with local authorities and the police to investigate the source of the strange phenomenon.
Water samples were collected by the authorities, and an immediate investigation was launched to determine the cause of the color change. Speculation about the incident spread online, with various theories being put forward. Some suggested the possibility of intentional dye release, potentially as a form of protest by environmental activists. Italian media reported that the police were examining CCTV footage to investigate if the incident was a stunt coordinated with the Volgalonga regatta taking place over the weekend.
City councilman Andrea Pegoraro quickly pointed fingers at environmental activists who have been targeting Italian cultural heritage sites in recent months. However, when the group Ultima Generazione, known for pouring charcoal into Rome’s Trevi Fountain the previous weekend, was asked if they were responsible for the green water in Venice, they denied involvement.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Venice’s Grand Canal has experienced a color alteration. In 1968, Argentine artist Nicolas Garcia Uriburu intentionally dyed the canal green during the Venice Biennale using a fluorescent dye called Fluorescein. Uriburu’s artistic intervention aimed to draw attention to ecological issues and explore the relationship between nature and civilization.
As investigations continue, Venetians and visitors alike remain fascinated by the sight of the fluorescent green water in the Grand Canal. The incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human activities and the environment, prompting discussions about the need for responsible and sustainable practices to protect Venice’s unique ecosystem.
