As Alfonso Tagliaferri, Italy’s first Consul General in Bengaluru, wraps up his three-year stint in the city, he’s got a bold take: it’s not the notorious traffic jams that are Bengaluru’s biggest drawback—it’s the shocking lack of public spaces. In an exclusive chat with PTI, the diplomat shared his love for the city’s vibrant spirit but didn’t hold back on what it’s missing, offering a fresh perspective on India’s IT capital.

“For an Italian, a ‘piazza’—a public square—is the heart of community and democracy,” Tagliaferri said. Growing up, he cherished casual moments in Italy’s piazzas, sipping beer, reading, or sparking conversations with strangers. But in Bengaluru, he found public spaces too “gentrified” and commercialized. “People drive to a restaurant, eat, and go home. There’s no space to just hang out, meet others, and build community,” he lamented.

Despite this, Tagliaferri’s time in Bengaluru was transformative. Arriving in India for the first time in 2022, he moved to the city after a brief stint in Kolkata when Italy opened its consulate here. A law graduate turned diplomat after stints in journalism, he’s previously served in Chile, the Philippines, and South Africa. Bengaluru, he says, stood out for its “sense of possibility.” “You plant five seeds here, and four grow strong and fast,” he marveled, crediting the city’s can-do attitude—far beyond mere “jugaad”—for turning his ideas into reality.

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In just three years, despite a lean team for nearly half that time, Tagliaferri spearheaded over 30 projects. His favorite? A dazzling showcase of Italy’s little-known space achievements at Bengaluru’s Science Gallery opening. “Italy was the third country to send a satellite into space, after the US and USSR, but few know this. Bengaluru’s energy made it possible to share that story,” he said.

As he prepares to head to Berlin, Tagliaferri leaves with a wishlist for Bengaluru: more pavements to enjoy its famous weather, affordable hangout spots, and, yes, better-managed traffic. His biggest takeaway? “Here, flexibility makes anything possible. Things don’t need to be perfect to happen—they just happen.” Bengaluru, he says, is a city where dreams take root and thrive.

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