Deserted and sunny streets, surprised tourists and divided residents, some bored, others happy: this is how Brindisi looks like a few hours after the arrival of the G7 leaders who will participate in the welcome dinner in the Castello Svevo. Until a few minutes ago it was possible to reach the entrance to the manor on foot where the Head of State Sergio Mattarella will also be there this evening. And some tourists took photos of the flags of the seven member countries at the center of two banners of the European Union.
A Londoner, James, says he arrived in Brindisi in the morning and was “in shock: everything is closed, the streets are full of police, we didn’t know the G7 was there, even though we wondered why everyone was there.” those helicopters in the sky. We thought it was another move by Putin,” he jokes bitterly. James is also amazed by the fact that there are no protests. But it’s a matter of hours for these too. A procession of pacifists is scheduled for 6pm: the appeal that the demonstrators will make, especially to the Pope, is for peace. Then we will have a couscous dinner and discuss the conflict in the Middle East.
The very few residents around, driven by curiosity, say they are “fed up” with the inconvenience. “There isn’t even an economic return for the city”, underlines Maria, they have closed everything and the traders will lose a lot of money”. Others, however, like those waiting on the balcony with the Italian flags, are happy that a part of the G7 will be held in Brindisi: “It’s a beautiful thing, an opportunity for Brindisi. We ask Mattarella to remember Puglia”. Still others are “just worried that something could happen, an attack, but we are happy to have all these important people here”.
As the minutes pass, the controls also increase and anyone who tries to approach the castle is asked to leave by the imposing security deployment.
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