Bezos, Sanchez to say 'I do' in a divided Venice
Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez were to tie the knot Friday at a sumptuous ceremony with the rich and famous on an island in Venice's lagoon, out of the sight and sound of protesters.
"This city seems impossible! It can't exist... and yet, here it is!" an enchanted Bezos told a Repubblica journalist Thursday who had got close to the magnate as he whizzed around the canals by boat.
But protesters had a different view, wondering how long Venice can endure: While the billionaires party, activists say the fragile city is sinking, overrun by tourists, and a victim of depopulation as locals unable to pay soaring rents are forced out.
"No Kings, No Bezos" read a sign in green neon projected on St Mark's Campanile on Thursday night.
- Serenaded -
Bezos and Sanchez, a former news anchor and entertainment reporter, have been celebrating their nuptials with guests including Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey and Orlando Bloom.
The tech magnate, 61, and Sanchez, 55, are staying at the Aman hotel, a luxury 16th-century palazzo on the Grand Canal with a view of the Rialto bridge.
They will exchange vows at a black-tie ceremony on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore later Friday, according to Italian media reports.
The wedding is expected to take place in a vast open-air amphitheatre on the island, which sits across from St Mark's Square.
The newlyweds will then be serenaded by Matteo Bocelli, son of the famed opera singer Andrea Bocelli, the reports said.
Michelin-starred chef Fabrizio Mellino will be preparing the wedding dinner, while the cake has been made by French pasty chef Cedric Grolet, the Corriere della Sera said.
Sanchez is alleged to have prepared 27 outfits to wear during the festivities.
- 'Enchanted' -
Wedding guests snapped by paparazzi as they hopped into boats included Jordan's Queen Rania, US football player Tom Brady, American fashion designer Spencer Antle, the singer Usher, and Ivanka Trump, daughter of US President Donald Trump.
The guests reportedly lunched Thursday in the gardens of Villa Baslini, on the islet of San Giovanni Evangelista.
The celebrations are set to end Saturday with a party likely at the Arsenale, a vast shipyard complex dating back to when the city was a naval powerhouse.
Bezos and Sanchez are donating three million euros ($3.5 million) to the city, according to Veneto's regional president Luca Zaia, and are employing historic Venetian artisans.
Venice's oldest pastry maker Rosa Salva is baking 19th-century "fishermen's biscuits" for party bags that will also contain something by Laguna B, renowned for its handblown Murano glass.
Trump and her family visited a glass-blowing workshop on the small island of Murano on Wednesday, according to the owner.
"They were amazed and enchanted by the magic of glass," Massimiliano Schiavon told the Corriere della Sera, adding that the family had a go at blowing their own.
Venice, home to the oldest film festival in the world, is used to VIPs whizzing around in speed boats, and happily hosted the star-studded nuptials of Hollywood actor George Clooney in 2014.
Some say this wedding too brings good business.
Italy's tourism ministry said Friday that it expected it to bring the city nearly one billion euros, most of which (895 million euros) is estimated to come from the "media visibility" generated.
But critics say Bezos, one of the world's richest men and founder of a company regularly scrutinised for how it treats its workers, is different.
"Tax Billionaires", read protest signs put up along canals.
"In the time it takes you to read this, Jeff Bezos's wealth has increased by more than your monthly salary", they read in English and Italian.
And environmental activists have also pointed to the carbon footprint of the mega yachts and dozens of private jets -- at least 95 -- bringing the rich and famous to the city.
P.Lefevre--JdCdC
