Weekend Festivals: New Generation & Fierucola

August will end and September will begin with a bang in Florence.

The Fierucola organic market expands to two days and another location, Piazza Santissima Annunziata, with a special focus on bread made with natural, biological leavening agents. In contrast, a modern-day princess offers a decidedly more upscale option: a series of concerts in her Italian garden.

FIERUCOLA DEL PANE

Piazza Santissima Annunziata will come alive with rows of farmers, bakers and artisans on September 2-3. One can rest assured that the honey or olive oil being taken home was made with the hard work and skills of a small-scale, sustainable farmer.

The market will feature homemade breads made from different types of grains, including ancient varieties, farro (spelt) and buckwheat (gluten-free gran saraceno), all baked in wood-burning ovens. Cakes and varieties of pasta will be sold as well.
One baker, also farmer of his own grain, from San Galgano, sells loaves of bread where he is involved in the entire process from growing to stone grinding. Another specializes in rosemary bread, raisin bread or bread filled with cauliflower and cheese, or potatoes, carrots and herbs.

The square will also host stands selling plants, organically grown vegetables, fresh cheese, jams and preserves in addition to wine. Many types of crafts — hand-woven cloth, silk scarves, hand-knit sweaters, natural cosmetics, soaps and essential oils from flower essences, beeswax candles, salad bowls made from olive wood, ceramics and more — can also be found.

THE NEW GENERATION FESTIVAL

The New Generation Festival, headlining young talents, is set in the park of Princess Giorgiana Corsini’s villa at via del Prato 58 from August 31 – September 2. The atmosphere promises to be reminiscent of “Room with a View” as formal dress is requested and picnic baskets will be available. Opening and closing nights are devoted to Donizetti’s “L’elisir d’amore.” The overture from “The Barber of Seville,” and pieces by Max Bruch and Beethoven are on the program for the September 1 orchestral concert.