To date, recreatie to work given exclusively to municipal authorities. After the death of the gondolier his license was returned to the city authorities, who chose his successor from a list of applicants. To deserve the honour to be recorded in the coveted registry, it was necessary to take a course in high school gondoliers that teach foreign languages, the history of Venice and etiquette, as well as pass the “test paddle”, that is, to pass a special examination. Continue to obtain the license it is only necessary to prove that the possession of the family of a gondola, on which the candidate has practised for the last four years. To join the ranks of the most photographed profession in the world, a descendant of the gondolier only have to withstand a practical test in rowing.
According to the gondolier with 40 years of experience Roberto Luppi in all these tests there is a great need. “The son of the gondolier is bound to be better than your father, or the family, then will not wash away the shame,” he says. Luppi support colleagues, calling the profession of gondolier art that will remain so only if it will be inherited. No training program can teach the secrets of mastery, which are carefully preserved in the family of gondoliers, they say. Now the list of Venetian gondoliers 433 people, among them only one woman – Georgia Boscolo. “Local gondoliers can compare with Murano glass. They were born either in Venice, or we are dealing with a fake. That we protect this category does not mean that they will now hide behind their privileges. On the contrary, with this gesture, we nurture a culture that fills the breath of this unique city” – sums up the President of the Association of Venetian gondoliers Andrea Balbi.
