Listening

I am a writer; a storyteller. I write for and about people in unusual situations and remarkable circumstances. And the locals of Venice are in an unusual situation.

Their home increasingly essentialized, commercialized, and exploited; Their lifestyles marketed. And so, this entry is in many ways a continuation of the entry on essentialism. But I’ve never been to Venice, so I may very well be wrong. But, if the people of Venice would welcome me, I wish to know the truth. I want to tell their story.

Hypothetically, I’d begin on the other side: as a tourist. I’d visit the popular tourist spots – the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, St. Mark’s Square, Libreria Acqua Alta, and so that I can experience Venice as a traveler, contextualize my purpose, and recognize the city from my audience’s perspective.

Then, I’d remove myself as much as possible from these shoes. Explore. Compare. Examine all the nooks and crannies tourists typically sidestep. And finally, not just hear, but listen – to the ebb and flow of the canals; to the faraway roars of touring crowds; and to those kind enough to share their stories, stories that answer questions avoided and unasked.

In essence, I want to see the city as the world sees it, and then see the city the way it wants to be seen. The stories I am hoping for are stories that respond to tourism, the threat of climate change, and the essence of Venice. But all stories are an opportunity to improve lives.

And, as much, telling theses stories is – perhaps more than an opportunity – a responsibility.

Essentializing Venice

Having never actually set foot in the city, it is difficult to avoid essentializing Venice.

As one of the most iconic and recognizable cities of one of the most culturally influential countries, Venice is a natural target of misconception. For some, earlier entries of this blog on the canals of Venice and Libreria Acqua Alta could be criticized as having condensed and misconstrued the Venetian experience. However, in the extensive research dedicated to this blog, one misrepresentation of Venice floats above the rest: “Venice is a tourist destination.”

From Facebook posts to renowned travel guides, Venice is repeatedly – frustratingly – referred to as an essential city for any traveler to visit. This in itself is not problematic. Venice is indeed beautiful and unique; a city deserving of appreciation and – more importantly – of respect. Unfortunately, however, while the city receives a large quantity of visitors per year, the relative respect for the city is arguably disproportionate.

A tedious amount of media – photos, videos, articles – are dedicated on placing the tourist experience on display. Selfie-spots, restaurants where celebrities ate, and other shallow attractions are advertised at the expense of the lifestyle and concerns of the locals. While tourism is crucial to Venetian economy, it is also detrimental to almost every other aspect of life in Venice, from the personal to the environmental.

What most know about Venice then, is the essence of tourism rather than the complex social, political, and cultural values that flow throughout the city and its people. As an apparent tourist destination, Venice is diluted as a temporary station for travelers, rather than a living, breathing nest of people and processes.

Essentialism forgets that Venice is – for many – home.

In Neptune’s Grasp

What defines Venice? Is it the gondolas that serve as public transportation for the Venetian populous? Or, is it the seafood that attracts travelers, feeds locals, and fuels the economy?

In the perspective of a writer who has never set foot in Venice, it’s the canals; the canals that intricately weave through every crevice of Venetian culture and geography. Venice is a city in Neptune’s grasp. And it is the ever-present element of water that has become the city’s most prolific symbol.

Despite its status as one of the more iconic and influential cities in Southern Europe, Venice is small. This “Floating City”, as it is sometimes referred to, occupies and consist mainly of 118 smaller islands, interconnected by a series of waterways and bridges.

Yet, despite a network of over 400 bridges, very few – if any – are fit for anything other than people. Thus, even in the 21^st century, Venice operates completely without cars. Wholly unique and spectacular to any traveler visiting – or even researching – the Italian city are boats and canals in place of cars and roads.

The canals of the city are therefore more than just a landmark or a novelty. The water that surrounds and binds the city also paints and proliferates Venetian culture. So, while the city, its history and spirit, has ebbed and flowed through time, it is the canals that have remained (relatively) still and emblematic of this small collection of Italian islands called Venice.

Perhaps even more so than the people, their lifestyle, and culture, the Venetian waterways are more symbolic of the city than anything one might find on land.

In many ways, Venice belongs to the canals perhaps more than the canals belong to Venice.

Venice, detoured

Assessment

Listening

Essentializing Venice

In Neptune’s Grasp