Persian leader spared the sight of Roman boobies

[Liriena]

If he feels uncomfortable in Rome, that would be his problem, not Rome's.

Meh, it's just a diplomatic meeting thing, and I'm pretty sure Italy's cultural legacy will still be there whenever I return to get another taste of all that marble awesomeness.

Mind you, I'm all for a healthy bit of transgression to make a point. A bit of nudity, and maybe even homoerotism, on display before the eyes of the leaders of a notoriously sexually oppressive society would have been kind of cool.

[Italios]

I would not hide away pictures of my family, because my guest doesn't want to see them, if that's what you're asking.

Obviously not, because the chance that they'd make the visitors uncomfortable is very, very slim.

[Baltenstein]

I would not hide away pictures of my family, because my guest doesn't want to see them, if that's what you're asking.

Obviously not, because the chance that they'd make the visitors uncomfortable is very, very slim.

The chance of said statues making Ruhani uncomfortable is ALSO very, very slim. If anything, the Italian authorities are insulting HIM as well, for thinking him so weak, so immature and so uneducated that he can't deal with the sight of European art history.

[Liriena]

It's akin to saying that the Argentine government not serving beef to an Indian delegation is "hiding the Argentine cultural legacy in shame".

No, it's akin to hiding away the Argentinan flag because the Indian delegation thinks it's ugly.

I wasn't aware that the Italian flag depicted nude marble statues.

#themoreyouknow

Thank goodness that's not what I said. Also, I'm pretty sure the Italians didn't "hide their own cultural legacy in shame".

That's EXACTLY how it's being perceived in Italy right now. And contrary to taking credit for this "smart diplomatic move", all the relevant authorities in Italy are currently denying responsibiliy for the decision.

You mean the government is trying to avoid the heat of negative public opinion? Shocking. Unheard of.

[Hjallaland]

I don't see a real problem here. Its good that the Vatican and Italy want to be polite towards their guests even though i don't believe this action was necessary as i doubt Rouhani or the Iranians in general would be offended by it.

[Geilinor]

Seeing how it has actually created an awkard situation that would have not appeared otherwise in the first place - not really.

A wise move would have been to not arrange the fucking meeting in the museum in the first place, if they consider Ruhani to be so ignorant about Italian art, which they apparently do.

It's very possible that Ruhani would have spoke out about this and how it's disrespectful, insensitive to his culture, et cetera, et cetera, which would inevitably blossom into an even larger incident.

He isn't stupid - if he did that, only he would look bad.

[Baltenstein]

Meh, it's just a diplomatic meeting thing, and I'm pretty sure Italy's cultural legacy will still be there whenever I return to get another taste of all that marble awesomeness.

Mind you, I'm all for a healthy bit of transgression to make a point. A bit of nudity, and maybe even homoerotism, on display before the eyes of the leaders of a notoriously sexually oppressive society would have been kind of cool.

But not when the leaders are from Iran, eh?

[Liriena]

Mind you, I'm all for a healthy bit of transgression to make a point. A bit of nudity, and maybe even homoerotism, on display before the eyes of the leaders of a notoriously sexually oppressive society would have been kind of cool.

But not when the leaders are from Iran, eh?

I didn't say that, and I'd never say that, because this is bloody Iran we're talking about, but whatever floats your straw boat, dude.

I do think it was an exaggeration on the Italians' part, but hardly something outrageous, or "PC gone wild".

[Hirota]

It's almost a shame Berlusconi isn't still running the ship - get some of the Iranian leadership in one of those bunga bunga parties. They won't care about some stone tits then.

[Nariterrr]

UNNACEPTABLE WOMAN ARE GODDESES HE NEEDS TO CHECK HIS WHITE CIS MALE PRIVILEGE WHAT A PIG

WHT?

[Liriena]

UNNACEPTABLE WOMAN ARE GODDESES HE NEEDS TO CHECK HIS WHITE CIS MALE PRIVILEGE WHAT A PIG

Bad poe.

[Empire of Narnia]

I personally thought we should have taken a sledgehammer to those naked statues ages ago. Just because something is old does not mean it is good or worth putting on display.

[Cetacea]

I think that the Italians have misjudged Rouhani, as he is quite progressive - at least by Irani standards.

I think that he'd be open to seeing fine artworks even if they do feature boobies and dangly bits. He may even ignore the the idolatory of goddess images

[Uxupox]

I personally thought we should have taken a sledgehammer to those naked statues ages ago. Just because something is old does not mean it is good or worth putting on display.

I never liked the Artemision Bronze neither when I visited Greece if I had a sledgehammer I would destroy it too if it was legal.