BBC | An Italian mayor has apologised to the family of opera star Luciano Pavarotti after the town of Pesaro encased a statue honouring the late singer within a Christmas ice rink.
The singer's widow, Nicoletta Mantonvani, told local media that she was "angry and upset" at what she called the decision to "ridicule" her late husband.
The temporary ice rink was constructed in the centre of the town's piazza, leaving Pavrotti's statue knee-deep in ice and surrounded by perspex walls.
In response, Biancini said that he didn't mean to offend anyone, and admitted that his council had "made a mistake".
Before it was opened on 29 November, Mayor Andrea Biancani posted a doctored image of Pavarotti's statue playing ice hockey with the hashtag #DaiUnCinqueAPavarotti, which translates to "Give a high-five to Pavarotti".
"I didn't expect a town would allow this treatment of the memory and the image of a person who made Italy great around the world," Ms Mantonvani told local outlet Il Resto del Carlino.
She accused the council of making a "poorly executed, absurd decision".
The life-size bronze statue was officially unveiled in Pesaro in April 2024, with Ms Mantonvani and the couple's daughter, Alice, in attendance.
The couple often holidayed in Pesaro, where Pavarotti had a villa and was an honorary citizen.