Volunteer efforts surge to save Venice after record acqua alta

In November 2019, Venice experienced its worst acqua alta in decades, with water levels reaching 187 cm, flooding homes, businesses, and cultural institutions. In response, spontaneous volunteer initiatives emerged, notably Venice Calls, a project started in 2018 by a group of young Venetians, which used Telegram and WhatsApp to mobilize hundreds of students and young people from Venice, Mestre, Padua, Treviso, and beyond. Dubbed "angels of the high water," they cleaned mud, removed debris, and assisted affected residents. Volunteers also helped salvage library materials at Fondazione Querini Stampalia, Conservatorio Benedetto Marcello, and Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa. The Libreria Acqua Alta, a beloved bookstore, received donations of new books from associations, booksellers, and private individuals. From Piedmont, artist Manuela Maroli launched Artists for Venice, inviting artists to auction works for the city. On the institutional front, MiBACT, led by minister Franceschini, inspected damage at Palazzo Ducale and the Marcian area, and extended the Art bonus to ecclesiastical heritage in the lagoon. A 30-day SMS donation service was activated for cultural heritage recovery. The Associazione Comitati privati internazionali per la salvaguardia di Venezia reaffirmed its commitment. The article highlights the contrast between grassroots solidarity and bureaucratic inertia, emphasizing the resilience of Venice and its community.