Monday Free Openings at Florence’s Major Museums

  The Uffizi Gallery is accessible free of charge on Monday, November 4, a day that the museum is normally closed, in celebration of Armed Forces Day (formerly a national holiday). The museum can be visited from 8:15 am to 6:30 pm, with the last entrance at 5:30 pm.  Other major Florence sites exceptionally open this Monday at no charge include the Bargello National Museum (8:15 am- 1:50 pm); the Academy Gallery and [...]

Documentary Films at ‘Festival dei Popoli’ 2024

Sat. 2 – Sun. 10: FESTIVAL DEI POPOLI INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL.  Cinema La Compagnia (via Cavour 50/r).  Films are screened in their original languages with Italian and English subtitles, making it accessible for study abroad students and foreign residents alike. The 65th Festival dei Popoli will take place in Florence from November 2 to 10, 2024, showcasing over 90 documentary films that delve into pressing themes such as democracy, the courage of [...]

A Voice and Piano Recital by French Artists Sandrine Piau & David Kadouch at the Pergola

The French soprano Sandrine Piau is returning to the Amici della Musica this season once again to perform with pianist David Kadouch on Saturday November 2, at 4 pm, in the Teatro della Pergola. Their programme will comprise pieces by Schubert, Schumann, Liszt, Debussy, Wolf, Boulanger and Duparc, and is titled “Voyage intime, invitation au voyage” (An intimate journey, an invitation to travel).  Both artists have attained international recognition and boast an array [...]

A Scary Halloween in Florence, 2024

This year’s Halloween, celebrated on the eve of October 31, features a wide variety of activities suitable for people of all ages in Florence. Adults can take an interest in slightly spookier events, while the little ones can go to a pumpkin farm or go trick or treating, especially popular in the Santo Spirito, Sant’Ambrogio and via Gioberti neighborhoods. Although Halloween is not a traditional Italian holiday, more and more activities are emerging for [...]

The Music of Beethoven, Mendelssohn & Schumann at ORT’s Inaugural Concert

The ‘Orchestra della Toscana’ will perform a program comprising works of Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Schumann in the Teatro Verdi to inaugurate their 44th concert season on October 30, at 9 pm.  The talented principal conductor Diego Ceretta has created a program that centres around two foundational nineteenth century composer’s pieces: Ludwig van Beethoven’s Egmont Overture, and Felix Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony. Beethoven’s Egmont Overture was inspired by Gothe’s drama of the same name, while [...]

Amici della Musica’s October Finale Chamber Concerts

  Returning to Teatro della Pergola this Saturday, October 26, Amici della Musica has two exciting performances lined up.  At 4 pm, Korean violinst Bomsori and Russian pianist Julia Okraushvili will performe a programme of Franck, Szymanowski, Beethoven and Wieniawski. Bomsori, considered a treasure in her native country, boasts triumphs in some of the most prestigious international competitions, including Sibelius, The Queen Elisabeth Competition, Tchaikovsky, Wieniawski, the ARD music competition and the CMIM [...]

‘Face to Face’ With Giotto at Church of Santa Croce

Face to Face with Giotto is an initiative that allows residents of the 41 towns and cities that make up the greater Florence metropolitan area to visit the restoration site of the Bardi Chapel in Santa Croce, with Giotto di Bondone frescoes, for free. An important early Renaissance pioneer, Giotto (1267 – 1337) is acknowledged one of the most influential Florentine and Italian painters, known for his use of realism and rudimentary perspective, [...]

Spooky Fun at the Children’s Lending Library Halloween Party 2024

  Calling all witches, monsters, ghosts, and skeletons: if you are looking to celebrate a fun Halloween this weekend, the Children’s Lending Library is the spookiest place to be. The library will be hosting a party for kids of all ages, complete with costumes, games, and of course, Halloween candy, on Saturday, October 26 from 4 to 6 pm. Held eerily below St. James Church (via Bernardo Rucellai 9), kids will find many [...]

‘Middle East Now:’ Ecologies of Resistance

  Back for its 15th edition, ‘Middle East Now’ is returning to Florence from October 15 to 20. A total of 34 films will be shown in Cinema La Compagnia (Via Cavour 50/r) and Cinema Astra (Piazza Beccaria 9), all of which will be in their original languages but with English and Italian subtitles. The rich program offers documentaries, feature and short films, as well as visual arts, photography, talks on contemporary culture, [...]

Louise Bourgeois Florence Art Exhibitions: Final Days

Until October 20: LOUISE BOURGEOIS, Do Not Abandon Me at Museo Novecento and Cell XVIII (Portrait) at Museo degli Innocenti. Opening hours: Museo Novecento, 11 am – 7 pm, closed Thursday, Museo degli Innocenti, 10 am – 7 pm Monday to Friday, 11 am – 9 pm on weekends. Museo degli Innocenti is the most appropriate location to host the exhibition Cell XVIII (Portrait), by French artist Louise Bourgeois. Throughout time this building, [...]