Italy: An English tourist inscribes his name on the Colosseum, and his apology impresses the Italians

When performing his gesture, did Ivan Dimitrov imagine that he would become the laughing stock of all Italy and much of the world? While passing through the Eternal City, this fitness instructor from Bristol thought it worthwhile to engrave his and his wife’s names on the walls of one of the city’s most famous monuments, a work of Roman architecture. Without relying on this other American tourist, who decided to film the scene and share his anger at this gesture on social networking sites.

“Evan + Hailey”

Widely transmitted on the networks, the sequence hit the British media and sparked outrage across the country. “I consider it very dangerous and unworthy of a tourist to disfigure one of the most famous places in the world, the Colosseum, to carve on it the name of his fiancée,” said the Italian Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangioliano. of rudeness.” He also wanted to “identify and punish the offending man.”

The vandal tourist was soon identified, and he wrote a letter to the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtier. And this is where this story takes on the quirky comedy vibe. Dimotrov explained that he was “aware of the seriousness of the act committed, I would like to express my sincere apologies to the Italians and to the whole world for the damage caused to a property that is, in fact, the heritage of all mankind.” And the latter adds, “I admit with the greatest embarrassment that only after what happened, unfortunately, I learned about the age of the monument.” A letter of apology that caused consternation and ridicule of many Italians.

In short, a sequence that is a real guide to “bad buzz” for beginners. The history course can also be very expensive for the tourist, as the latter is now under investigation for damage to the heritage. It is punishable by a fine of 2,500 to 15,000 euros plus a penalty of 2 to 5 years in prison.