‘F-Light’s’ Holiday Magic

Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a bit of sparkle. Adding such a touch this year in Florence, is the F-Light Festival 2017, running from December to January 7, 2018. Festivities comprise video mappings and image projections as well as guided visits for families around many local museums.

The tower of Palazzo Vecchio, known as the Arnolfo Tower will become a ‘light house’ every evening from 6 pm for the duration of the whole month,.  The tower will be projected with colourful images representative of the UN’s sustainable development goals such as gender equality and clean water and sanitation.

This is the first of a number of F-Light’s events centred on topical issues involving poverty and immigration among others, in support of the slogan #enjoyrespectfirenze. What better time to bring the community together than at Christmas?

In the global world that we live in, it is almost hard to believe that there are many families or individuals that are starving, in need of shelter. While many are part of charities and organisations, awareness of solidarity is still not widely integrated into our everyday lifestyle.

The programme also includes a ‘video mapping’ on Ponte Vecchio. This will comprise video projections centred on this year’s theme of ‘cultural barriers’ and visualised directly onto the façade of the bridge (every evening 6 pm – 12 am).

Attempting to bridge communities and focusing on the growing numbers of refugees, the video will raise awareness about the lifestyle and difficulties experienced by many immigrants. The location has been purposefully chosen as it is one of, or if not the, most photographed tourist spot in Florence.

Santo Spirito, the ‘hip’ and cool area where most young people hang out, will be the stage for a DJ performance on Dec. 13 at 7 pm. DJ Tomo will provide electronic sounds while the whole square will be illuminated with Florentine visual artist, Simone Massoni’s art work.

Other areas of Florence such as the Medici Riccardi Palace, the Chamber of Commerce Palace, the San Niccolò Tower, the Novecento Museum, the Porcellino Loggia, the San Lorenzo Basilica and the Central Market will also dazzle in their non-usual rainbow colours.

Not breaking with the F’-Light festival’s tradition, this year will see Piazza Ghiberti and its Sant’Ambrogio Market ‘come to light.’ Utilising a moving head fixture, a beam of light (visible within a 15 kilometre, 9 mile radius) will shine down on the market and piazza for the duration of the month and beginning of January from 6 pm.

MUS.E, Florence’s State Museum Organisation will be arranging special events at a range of museums across the city in conjunction with F-Light 2017. Throughout this month and the following, family tours will be available at Palazzo Vecchio’s museum, Santa Maria Novella Cathedral and the Bardini Museum, however these guided tours will be out of the ordinary. Adding a bit of magic to the event, families will discover the beauty of the art displayed with only the help of the light of a torch, to create a refined atmospheric ambience (visitors will need to bring their own torches).

Each tour will last 1h 15 mins and will take place on the following dates:

Palazzo Vecchio Museum: Dec. 17 at 9 pm for families with small children and 9 pm for adults. Santa Maria Novella: Dec. 30 at 5:30 pm (families) and at 7 pm (young people and adults). Bardini Museum: Jan. 6 5:30 pm (families) and 7 pm (adults and young people). Tickets start from €8 but free entry is available for under 18s. For more information visit MUS.E’s ticket website.

F-Light’s street projections and outdoors events are free for all to attend, so take up the opportunity to experience Christmas like you’ve never experienced it before. For those still working on a busy schedule no need to panic, the Festival’s light projections will even create a captivating and eye-catching commute from work. (karen gee)