Birthday boy billionaire buys up Sicilian city for the ultimate party for his ... trends now
Sicilians are furious that an eccentric Japanese billionaire has hired out several cultural institutions in Palermo for a three-day birthday extravaganza.
Kaoru Nakajima managed to hire out several of Palermo's oldest and most iconic cultural institutions, including opera houses, theatres and centuries-old hotels, to celebrate his 73rd birthday.
The billionaire hired out the Teatro Massimo, Italy's largest opera house and one of the largest in Europe.
He has also hired out the Politeama Theatre, and went as far as to order extra custom seating so that his guests could dance and dine in the 132-year-old institution, at a reported cost of 37,000 euros (£32,244).
Nakajima will be housing his 1,400 guests at both the five-star Villa Igiea, on Palermo's beachfront, and the Grand Hotel et des Palmes, just a few miles away.
He is said to be feeding them with a banquet prepared by a celebrity chef, and entertained them with a concert by Matteo Bocelli, the son of the legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli, as well as a performance of Don Giovanni conducted the acclaimed Riccardo Muti, who is said to be a close friend of the birthday boy.
Kaoru Nakajima (pictured) managed to hire out several of Palermo's oldest and most iconic cultural institutions
He was seen rubbing shoulders with several local politicians before and after the performance
His guests will be staying at the luxurious Villa Igiea, which lies on Palermo's coastline
His guests will also be staying at the Grand Hotel et des Palmes, which is located just a few miles away from the Villa Igiea
Nakajima has hired out the Teatro Massimo, one of the most iconic cultural institutions in Palermo for a private rendition of Don Giovanni
He went as far as to spend over 30,000 euros on extra, custom seating in the Politeama Theatre so his guests could dance and dine
The billionaire, sporting an ornate cane, was seen being shown to an exclusive box in the Teatro Massimo, with the assistance of several people.
He was seen rubbing shoulders with several local politicians before and after the performance.
His friends and family, meanwhile, were seen posing for photos outside the venue.
He told an Italian media outlet shortly after the performance: 'Palermo is
