Bergamo Brescia's promotional video for Italian Capital of Culture 2023 flops

The promotional video for Bergamo Brescia Italian Capital of Culture 2023, titled "Pop the Bubble," has been widely criticized for its stereotypical and unflattering portrayal of a 40-year-old man living with his overprotective mother. The video, released on YouTube, aims to encourage tourism with the slogan "Fuori dalla bolla, c'è una città tutta da scoprire" but instead reinforces negative stereotypes about Italian society. The three-minute clip devotes half its runtime to thanking sponsors and institutions, further undermining its promotional purpose. Local residents from Bergamo were among the first to harshly criticize the spot. The video will also air in the United States and Canada, raising concerns about Italy's international image. The inaugural events are scheduled for January 20-22, 2023, in Bergamo and Brescia, described as a grand open party with impactful artistic performances and extraordinary openings of cultural venues.