Venetians rally to fight residents' exodus from the city

Venice

SEVERAL hundred citizens of Venice rallied on Saturday to draw attention to an exodus of residents that they fear is sucking the life out of the fabled Italian city. Venetians of all ages took part in the "Venexodus" demonstration, clutching signs bearing slogans such as "Farewell, Venice", and "I won't go, I will stay and resist", as well as suitcases to symbolise the constant departures.

A man dressed in the historic costume of a doge - the leaders of Venice for more than a thousand years - boarded a gondola for a symbolic farewell trip. More than 60,000 tourists arrive in Italy's Adriatic jewel each day - a tally that outstrips the number of full-time residents.