Posted on 07/05/2023 8:20:18 AM PDT by Cronos
An English tourist accused of defacing the Colosseum has said he was not aware of the age of the ancient monument.
Ivan Dimitrov, a 27-year-old fitness instructor living in Bristol, wrote a letter of apology to the Rome mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, after allegedly engraving his and his girlfriend’s names into an internal wall of the 2,000-year-old landmark with a key.
In the letter, Dimitrov, who was traced by Italian police to England after a five-day search, wrote that only now did he realise “the seriousness of the deed committed”.
“Through these lines I would like to address my heartfelt and honest apologies to the Italians and to the whole world for the damage caused to an asset which, in fact, is the heritage of all humanity,” he added in the letter published in Il Messaggero on Wednesday.
Dimitrov, who faces a hefty fine and possible prison term, praised those who “guard the inestimable historical and artistic value of the Colosseum with dedication, care and sacrifice”, before adding: “It is with deep embarrassment that only after what regrettably happened did I learn of the antiquity of the monument.”
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
I have been to several of the Greek archeological sites. There are names scrawled in everywhere from sailors, soldiers, tourists, the workers, travelers, and who knows who else from the time they were built. His name isn’t the first, and it won’t be the last. In 1000 years archeologists will look at his scribbles and wonder who Ivan Dimitrov was.
in before the life of briiii nevermind
Considering what the Colosseum was used for I find it difficult to get particularly concerned about this.
If he had painted "Black Lives Matter" on the wall, he'd be declared a hero.
He should be locked up for stupidity
Maybe somebody should deface him with an iron bar and see how the idiot feels about that
He wasn’t clueless. He did it because the area was significant and important piece of history and wanted his name to be part of it. When I first read the title, I expected it to be a 13 year old. Not an adult.
I hope he gets all 5 years coming to him
In a dungeon
This is probably one of the stupidest things I've read here today but cheer up, the day is still young.
Idiot!!
Are you always such an idiot? Do you work hard at being an idiot or does it come naturally to you?
Yeah, and they'll wonder, "Who was that Roman Centurion?"
“This is probably one of the stupidest things I’ve read here today but cheer up, the day is still young”.
The day just got older.
Coliseum = Colosseum
LOL!
It hit me the same way.
The whole world is becoming a melting pot. I miss the individual ethnicity of the old countries.
;)
“Throw him to the lions!”
DING! DING! We have a winner!
There are actually 3 idiots, him, her, and the schmuck taking the photo. “Go ahead Ivan, mar the sacred walls of this whatever with your rental Audi car keys. Make sure you smile stupidly so that people will think you have no clue!” 3 jackasses.
When my oldest son was in middle school, I received a phone call from the vice principal who proceeded to tell me my son has carved his name in newly poured wet cement.
I said to the vice principal, how could you possibly know it was my son, several students have the same name?
He replied, your son signed his full name, first and last. He wanted to be sure everyone knew it was him.
I responded, okay How much do I owe?
I am rather surprised that some wealthy, nationalistic Italian has not commissioned a *replica* of the Colosseum to be built somewhere near Rome.
It could be used for all sorts of events, and would bring in lots of tourist dollars.
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