51996IP0142

B4-0142, 0151, 0155, 0165, 0178, 0221 and 0234/96

Resolution on the fire which destroyed the Fenice theatre in Venice

The European Parliament,

A. having regard to the fire which destroyed the Fenice theatre in Venice on the night of Monday, 29 January 1996,

B. whereas La Fenice, inaugurated in 1792, has been host to the finest musical performances over two centuries,

C. whereas investigations are being conducted by the judiciary and municipal authorities of Venice to ascertain the exact cause of the fire and establish whether anyone bears responsibility or was guilty of negligence,

D. whereas the European institutions cannot remain indifferent to this cultural disaster,

The European Parliament,

1. Expresses its dismay at the loss of one of the most important theatres in the world, and its concern at the apparent lack of adequate fire safety arrangements to protect this symbol of European culture;

2. Calls on the Commission (working in agreement with the Italian Government and the local authorities) to offer every necessary form of assistance - beyond immediate symbolic aid - to ensure that La Fenice can be rebuilt quickly and once again fill the place it has occupied for centuries;

3. Hopes that the destruction of the theatre will lead the relevant Italian authorities, and indeed all the other governments of the Union, to check the safety arrangements of many other buildings and sites of importance for European culture;

4. Calls on the Italian authorities and the Venice municipal authorities to ensure that La Fenice is reconstructed as soon as possible in a way which reflects its architectural heritage and ensure that the events already scheduled to take place in the theatre can be performed in other places in the meantime so that the spirit of the cultural initiatives undertaken by this historic theatre can be kept alive;

5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Italian Government, and the municipal authorities of Venice.