Overview
- A temporary holiday rink in Pesaro was constructed around the life-size bronze of Luciano Pavarotti, leaving the figure effectively knee-deep in ice behind a perspex barrier.
- Mayor Andrea Biancani had promoted a hashtag inviting skaters to high-five the statue, then apologized and acknowledged the council made a mistake.
- A city spokesman said installers mistakenly built the rink around the monument rather than beside it and insisted there was no intention to offend.
- Officials added a short wall to separate the statue from the skating surface, though people can still reach it and commenters have flagged safety concerns.
- Pavarotti’s widow, Nicoletta Mantovani, called the setup disrespectful and said she will seek an explanation, as local opinion remains sharply divided.