A letter has emerged in which the tourist who was caught etching his name on a brick wall of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, apologizes for his actions.
Ivan Danailov Dimitrov, a 31-year-old resident of the United Kingdom, was filmed defacing the ancient building in a viral video back in June. The letter of apology was published by Italian newspaper Il Messaggero on Wednesday.
In the video, Dimitrov can be seen carving the name of his fiance, "Ivan+Haley 23," onto the wall before turning around and smiling.
However, in his letter, Dimitrov expresses remorse for his actions and extends his apologies to both Italians and the entire world for the damage caused to a monument that is considered a heritage of all humanity.
Dimitrov implies that he was unaware of the age of the building and admits feeling deeply ashamed for his behavior. "I admit with deepest embarrassment that it was only after what regrettably happened that I learned of the monument's antiquity," the letter, obtained by the New York Times, states.
He further acknowledges the seriousness of his deed and addresses the letter to the mayor of Rome and the Roman prosecutor's office.
While the wall Dimitrov vandalized was not technically ancient, as it was built in the mid-19th century as part of restoration efforts, the video still sparked outrage in Italy.
Ancient buildings in the country have been the target of vandalism for years, and Italian Cultural Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano expressed his disapproval on Twitter.
I consider it very serious, unworthy, and a sign of great incivility that a tourist defaces one of the most famous places in the world, the Colosseum, to engrave the name of his fiance," he tweeted. Sangiuliano hopes that the perpetrator will be identified and punished according to the law.
The Colosseum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dates back to 72 AD and was completed in 80 AD under the rule of Roman emperor Titus. The monument holds significant historical and cultural value, making the act of defacing it all the more egregious.
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