30/12/2020
It has been a long time since I published anything on Feniks.
As you know, most of my reconstructions took place in Slovenia, and the reason I stopped is simple: I became exhausted by the attitude towards cultural heritage.
Many people who know how much I care about heritage have confirmed what I already felt: most of my effort was practically in vain and brought me more headaches than satisfaction. That is what I would like to explain here.
I researched Haasberg Palace for about seven years.
I invested a huge amount of work into reconstructing this beauty in 3D, trying to show people how it once looked—in colour, in reality—hoping it would move them to unite and care for their heritage.
Along the way, I had to deal with opportunists who stole my work and used it for commercial gain.
With disrespectful locals who tried to hide my work, accusing me of seeking money (while they are doing an illegal usufruct of the ruins).
With countless barriers from jealous academics afraid of losing prestige.
And, as so often in Slovenia, with political comments that had nothing to do with the project.
This project has no political agenda. My only aim is to tell the truth. If a palace was burned by partisans or bombed by N***s, I will say so. I am not ashamed of the truth.
We cannot go on pretending that fairies made these majestic buildings disappear overnight.
The purpose of my research is to educate. Yes, we are dealing with ruins, and there is sadness in that, but the idea is to learn from past mistakes and not repeat them.
By gathering forgotten information, speaking with people, collecting stories and photographs, studying the ruins and archives, I hoped to bring people together so they would start dreaming of reconstructing their castles—keeping heritage alive and creating prosperity for future generations.
It has been a long road, full of disappointments, and it led me to this sudden pause. I apologize to those who have followed Feniks. I cannot say I will never collaborate with Slovenia again—after all, but if I do, I will be much more cautious after this bad experience.
Recently, a large section of wall at Haasberg Palace collapsed after seismic activity in the region.
With it, most of the beautifully carved Baroque stone window frames were lost forever. The iconic portal by Carlo Martinuzzi still stands, but it is in very poor condition.
This is the result of nearly 80 years of people arguing among themselves, generations trying to cover up what happened (often for ideological reasons), and today, clashes between groups seeking financial or political advantage.
Meanwhile, in silence, we are losing a historic site of great importance for several nations.
