L’Aquila Mayor Pierluigi Biondi is facing fierce criticism over a proposal to charge admission for the opening night of the Perdonanza Celestiniana festival on August 23rd. City councilor Stefania Pezzopane (Democratic Party) launched a direct attack, accusing him of betraying the spirit of Pope Celestine V.
“A step back, Mayor. You are betraying the spirit of Celestine V,” declared Pezzopane. She condemned the potential paid entry as contradicting the festival’s core values, stating: “The Perdonanza is not an elite festival. It is a popular, civil rite born to declare that forgiveness has no price tag. Instead, I see only spite and exclusionary logic. Will we pay to light the Morrone fire next? To listen to the Archbishop?”
The proposal has deeply divided public opinion in the city. Mayor Biondi, also President of the Perdonanza Committee, defended the move in an interview with Abruzzoweb, citing security concerns and referencing last year’s tensions involving shoving and protests near barriers. However, critics argue the measure creates division rather than unity.
Opposition councilor Paolo Romano (Italia Viva) echoed the harsh criticism: “Then let the authorities pay too. Enough with reserved front-row seats while people crowd behind. Every year it’s the same story: everything communicated last minute, tensions inflamed, and then dissenters insulted. This builds nothing.” Romano further proposed donating any proceeds to charity, but only if privileged seating areas were abolished: “We need example-setting, not the usual armoured VIP box.”
Criticism, though more measured, also came from Enrico Verini, leader of the ‘Azione – Noi al Centro – L’Aquila Viva e Forte’ opposition group. “The Perdonanza cannot become a battleground,” Verini stated. “It is a common good deserving respect and dialogue. I propose discussing this in the Cultural Commission: solutions exist that guarantee security while allowing free participation. We just need the will.”