Controversy Over Unpermitted Billboard for Fraglia Vela Malcesine

Flagship billboard of the Fraglia without permission, with the Administration in agreement. For about two months, at the entrance of corso Porta Nuova, at the northern end of piazza Statuto, a large display has been installed, showing the schedule of events for Fraglia Vela Malcesine.

The billboard, which among other achievements won the award at the Venice Biennale for design, but which was fined in Malcesine, has immediately become a subject of controversy and discord. The minority group “Camp de L’Ora” has promptly taken action by sending an interrogation to the Administration; an interrogation that Gianni Testa, the president of Fraglia, has called absurd.

Reactions and controversies

According to the opposition, the billboard would indeed be an ugly addition to the existing ones in that area, and questions are raised as to why, despite the negative opinion of the building commission, the display stand was nonetheless installed. During the City Council meeting, the same president of Fraglia, present in the chamber, expressed his views.

“Defining the billboard as beautiful or ugly is purely subjective,” replied Testa, “Respected figures, knowledgeable in art, have nonetheless given a positive opinion. I also believe that the billboard looks better than all those bags and tents covering the walls of Malcesine, which are also prevalent around the display stand. If the assessment were to judge beauty or ugliness, then all the terraces would need revision.”

“Indeed, the billboard should have been placed somewhere else, but we did not expect to cause so much discontent by positioning it at the entrance of corso Porta Nuova.”
“From a bureaucratic point of view,” continued Testa, “measures are underway. A report has been drafted, but we are ready to take responsibility and to regularize the billboard.”

Interventions and regulations

The new municipal regulation states that in cases like this, i.e., occupying public land, the penalty is decided by the tax office, which will also determine whether the display stand will be removed or not. Carlo Chincarini, the sports assessor supporting the sailing association, also agrees with Gianni Testa, although he is not very happy to know that the contributions given by the municipality to the association are then spent on paying fines.

Despite the protests, it seems that the Fraglia Vela Malcesine calendar will at least remain in its current location for this season (it no longer makes sense to move it). Even Mayor Giuseppe Lombardi has given his approval, and beyond local quarrels, it must be acknowledged that the sailing association has gained considerable importance, even on an international level.