Every postcard from the city of Venice features its iconic canals and waterways with charming boats that take tourists across the cityscape. Amid the Coronavirus crisis and the lockdown, a group of passionate women gondoliers in Venice have come together to deliver essentials to elderly residents on their traditional batele or boats. By Manya Saini
Italy has been one of the worst-hit countries in the world by the Coronavirus pandemic. Many heroes are helping the country cope with the crisis, including Venetian gondoliers. Row Venice is a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to preserving traditional cultural practices of the city’s rowers. It offers classes and fun tours with the craft. The group has now started to deliver groceries as a part of its ‘Row Venice Delivers’ project.
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The gondoliers row their boats filled with organic produce from local farms and shops to elderly and other incapacitated residents. The move comes as a relief to older people affected by the lockdown restrictions, who also have a low recovery rate. Venetians can order the products online and it will be delivered by the group on the same day.
These women gondoliers follow all regulations of social distancing and hygiene practices, along with wearing masks to reduce the risk of exposure.
In a video statement, the group described its initiative as, “an ecological transportation solution, lending a hand in this difficult time as we return to the origins of the city itself.” It has also expressed wanting to continue with the deliveries even after the lockdown restrictions are lifted with its environmentally conscious carbon-free boats.
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Venice is Italy’s most visited tourist hotspots during the spring months, but the lockdown has drastically reduced the movement of gondolas, water taxis, and cruises in the canals. The water quality, as a result, has improved significantly in the last month.
Even as the country grapples with the outbreak, initiatives like this that take cognisance of people’s needs go a long way in inspiring and boosting the morale of all of us under lockdown.
Related: Dolphins Return To Venice’s Crystal-Clear Canals Amid Coronavirus Lockdown
