Corona virus: World Journalism Festival scheduled for Italy cancelled
A number of Nigerian journalists, as well as their colleagues across the globe would not be able to make the international journalism festival which was scheduled to hold this April in Perugia, Italy, following the cancellation of the event, as a result of outbreak of coronavirus.
Penpushing reports that, the five-day event would have attracted journalists from around the world, but the organizers, announced the cancellation on Saturday in a statement posted on its website. .
“We announce the cancellation of the 2020 International Journalism Festival due to the public health risks caused by COVID-19, We know that this decision will cause inconvenience for many and have negative financial consequences for some but we believe it would be irresponsible to act in any other way given current circumstances’.
“The health and safety of festival speakers, attendees, volunteers, staff, suppliers as well as that of the citizens of Perugia is and must remain our top priority. We make this announcement today, one month before the start of the festival, because we are convinced that the entire festival community will benefit from an end to the uncertainty. Please note that the festival is being cancelled, not postponed’.
“The scenario has changed significantly over the past two or three days. Until the middle of this week we were cautiously optimistic that the festival would go ahead as planned. The rapidly deteriorating public health situation has obliged us to take the decision to cancel.”
Penpushing further reports that, the organisers said the festival is now expected to hold in 2021, explaining that,“we hope all those who were intending to participate in the 2020 festival will be able to come to Perugia for the 2021 festival.
“This is a sad day for the festival but we hope to return even stronger and more united for the 2021 festival and beyond,” the statement said, while record also has it that Italy’s death toll from the coronavirus has risen to 21
