Florence is commemorating the lost souls taken by the Nazis in Florence and sent to concentration camps in 1944, never to return, by commissioning approximately 50 stumbling stones (“pietre di inciampo” in Italian) for the sidewalks. A prologue to the Holocaust Remembrance Day was the placement of a number of square-shaped memorials on city streets throughout the month of January. These plaques, 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 inches), are the same [...]
As Irish literary legend Oscar Wilde once said “The best way to make children good is to make them happy.” Considering its super fun and child oriented calendar of special events, international projects and creative productions, the upcoming Pitti Immagine Bimbo is sure to bring a smile to the young as well as the young at heart. Held mainly at Florence’s Fortezza da Basso from January 16 to 18, and open only to [...]
This year, there is a new Florence ice rink at the Fortezza da Basso around the “Lago dei Cigni.” The rink, part of the Florence Ice Village, encircles the pond to provide 320 meters (300 yards or 1,000 ft.), the longest track to skate on in Europe. Hours are 10 am – midnight daily through February 28. Entrance is €8 for the first hour of skating, €5 for the second hour; children are [...]
Until Sunday, December 22: GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKET. Piazza Santa Croce. Open 10 am to 10 pm. The market is special because it not only sells German products, but also provides the opportunity of buying local English products such as teas and china in addition to gift items created by artisans from all over Europe. WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE MARKET? There are stands with ground spices from France; handmade scented and unscented [...]
Two renowned musicians – cellist Mario Brunello and pianist Andrea Lucchesini – will celebrate their 30th year of performances together in addition to a strong friendship with a special concert at Teatro della Pergola on December 16 at 9 pm. The duo will be interpreting late 19th century music, including the Sonata in A Major by César Franck, originally composed for violin and piano, and Chopin’s Sonata op. 65 for cello and piano, [...]
Designed for children of all ages, the Four Seasons ‘Open Day’ at the Gherardesca garden on Sunday, December 15 is an annual event eagerly looked forward to by the Florence community during Christmas time. One of the largest private gardens of the city, now part of the Four Seasons Hotel (entrances at Piazzale Donatello 12, via Gino Capponi 54 and Borgo Pinti 97), will host stands selling gift items, roasted chestnuts and hot [...]
The 19th edition of River to River, the world’s first festival exclusively about Indian film, will be held at Cinema La Compagnia (via Cavour 50/r), which is located a short five-minute walk from Florence’s historic Duomo, from December 5 – 10. An insight into the unique culture of India, the festival will showcase a series of short and feature-length films with Italian and English subtitles, video art presentations, interviews, and a photo exhibition [...]
There will be a number of free Florence museums for the Festa della Toscana weekend on November 30 as well as on the following day, December 1, 2019. November 30 is known as the Festa della Toscana to commemorate the abolishment of the death penalty in Tuscany on that date — the first European state to do so — on November 30, 1786. There will be free admission to the Pitti Palace museums [...]
Florence is offering several events in solidarity with International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25. The aim is to bring attention to the fact that women around the world are victims of rape, domestic and other forms of violence and harassment, including that which happens in the workplace. The street artist who signs him or herself as “Footloose” has already made a contribution by pasting depictions of red [...]
The 41st edition of “Cinema e Donne” the International Women’s Film Festival 2019 will take place from November 20 – 24. Directed by Paola Paoli and Maresa D’Arcangelo, the festival will take place at La Compagnia Cinema (Via Cavour, 50/R) and the French Institute of Florence (Piazza Ognissanti, 2). A rich program of films with 38 national premieres that highlight different perspectives and stories of women from various countries of the world, such [...]
