For the past few weeks, Milan has been overrun by contrasting emotions regarding the occupation of an abandoned 31-storey skyscraper right next to the Central railway station. The people who occupied it, a collective named 'Macao', meant to transform the building in a public space for cultural and artistic initiatives, claiming that such a landmark could be put to good use if given to the public rather than being left abandoned for 15 years (this is due to toxic asbestos being used for its construction in the '50s and the long reconstruction work needed to clear it all out).

John Lennon - Power to the People

There was an immediate outburst of consent regarding the initiative - the common folk were glad that something was "finally happening" in Milan, that someone showed some passion and acted on it, and the left-wing (mainstream) cultural elite flocked to the skyscraper to show their support. Someone did try to point out that it was all illegal, but the general enthusiasm drowned their voices out.

Concerts, readings, conferences and all sorts of happenings were put together by both reknown and unknown members of the milanese cultural and musical scene, while people of all kinds attended or simply nosed around the skyscraper (some great views for Instagram up there).

Ascii Disko - Photo

Daria Bignardi, a journalist and TV personality, wrote an article saying that if she were Mr. Ligresti, the skyscraper's owner, she would tell the people occupying the building that they could have it - someone's comment to this on Twitter pointed out that this is exactly why she is NOT Mr. Ligresti.
Jokes aside, after 10 happy days the police acted and drove the people out. Although it was a fascinating initiative in a fascinating landmark, it's still private property - and that weighs a lot in a country like ours, in which, for some reason, there's still talk about communism (but no communists).

Little Ester Phillips - While it Lasted

 Written by Andrea Ratti

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