The President of Iran, Hassan Rohani
came on a State Visit to Rome.
As everybody knows, Hassan does not
like nudity. In particular does he abhor nudity of women.
Oh horror of horrors, what shall we do
? In Rome's museums naked statues abound. Great works of art, created
by Italy's great artists, such as Michelangelo, Donatello, Bernini
and many others who depicted the human form in all its beauty and
elegance.
But works like Michelangelo's “David”
or “Pieta” show nudity of men, while statues celebrating the
female body are almost too many to count.
Quick now, a visitor is coming, who
does not like, is actually offended by nudity.
What do we do ? Somebody, (now
everybody denies having had anything to do with it), somebody decided
to build wooden enclosures for some and drape others in black cloth.
The Mayor of Rome insists he knew
nothing. The Minister of Culture absolutely denies having given these
instructions.
Not to worry, Hassan Rohani was “very
pleased with the hospitality shown him.”
Isn't it interesting to note that all
this prudery, this phony chastity, always seems to come from the
religious corner of society.
History records the absolute storm of
indignation which came from the Papacy at the unveiling of
Michelangelo's “Last Judgment” in the Sistine Chapel.
Pope Paul IV wanted to have
Michelangelo's work destroyed because of all the nudity 'so abhorrent
to his Christian sensitivity.' He changed his mind in the last
moment, declaring himself satisfied with a simple 'paint-over' of the
most offending parts.
Christianity, as most other religions,
have always had a difficult time accepting nudity of the human body,
although the human body, according to their belief, in all its
nakedness, was created by their God.
It is a most fortunate development,
that these works of Art are no longer considered abhorrently
offensive, not even in the Vatican, in whose halls the greatest
works of art reside today.
No longer are the greatest works of
art, be they paintings or sculptures, defaced or outright spoiled, by
over painting.
What degree of consideration do we now
owe to a visitor, whose culture cannot accept that, which in the
Western culture has become the norm ?
Do we really need to build wooden
enclosures, hiding the image of an unclothed person ?
Do we need to wrap it in cloth, hide it
in a back room and, yes, deny its very existence ?
Some authorities in Rome seem to
suggest exactly that. Then why do they stop there ?
Mr. Rohani is a Muslim. Therefore, one
can assume, he does not like to see women on the street without their
faces being covered by a Hijab or their bodies wrapped in a Burqa ?
Should not Rome's authorities issue an
order, forbidding Roman women to be seen on the streets without such
coverings ?
If they wanted to go all the way in
their hospitality, why did they not close all pubs, bars, or other
ungodly outlets for the sale of alcoholic beverages ? Muslims don't
drink, don't you know ?
When I visit Timbuktu I will have to
accept their cultural idiosyncrasies and I do not expect them to
change their ways, because they might offend me.
In the defense of Mr. Rohani: Nowhere
is it said that he asked for this.
Some overzealous little Civil Servant
in Rome wanted to make himself important. The Fool.
Bertstravels
truly is not bothered by any of this
