I sincerely hope that this message finds you and your loved ones happy and healthy, and that your 2022 has gotten off to a strong start. Although this year started off under the specter of the Omicron variant, in 2022 we have more tools at our disposal – vaccines, treatments, and a greater understanding of the virus – to help us combat it. If we use these tools, working together, we will [...]
Over 140,000 guests have visited the Jeff Koons art exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi, which is in its final two weeks. The retrospective spans a carefully selected choice of pieces from 40 years of this American artist’s career. Here is a video preview of the show, and below is a live report. Until January 30, 2022: JEFF KOONS: SHINE. Palazzo Strozzi, Piazza Strozzi. Open daily 10 am – 8 pm, Thursday until 11 pm. Admission: €15. Audio guided [...]
January 11 – 13, 2022: PITTI IMMAGINE UOMO, PITTI IMMAGINE BIMBO & VINTAGE SELECTION TRADE FAIRS. Fortezza da Basso. 9 am – 6 pm. Open only to buyers and the press. With reinforced safety protocols due to resurgence of the pandemic, the Pitti Immagine fairs will begin shortly after the arrival of the new year, with both the Pitti Uomo 101 and Pitti Bimbo 94 in addition to Vintage Selection being hosted simultaneously at Florence’s [...]
Until March 10, 2022: BENOZZO GOZZOLI AND THE MAGI CHAPEL. Palazzo Medici Riccardi. Open daily 9 am – 7 pm, closed Wednesday. Admission: €10, with a reduced price of €6 offered to those between the ages of 18 to 25 or for university students. Free admission will be offered for individuals up to 17 years old, accredited journalists and disabled people along with their caregivers. There will also be free entrance for residents of [...]
As 2022 will bring to the entire world, new beginnings have also arrived at 19th century St. James Episcopal church which welcomed new leadership. Arriving in Florence during the “red” zone, The Rev. Richard Easterling is overseeing the two most important facets of the church: worship services in English and community outreach programs, which involve the local English speaking and Italian communities. A New Year’s Message from Rev. Easterling “Happy New Year!” In [...]
SPECIAL HOLIDAY EVENTS The F-Light Festival will feature projection mapping with videos that light up many iconic locations in Florence until January 9, every evening from 5:30 pm to midnight. The Fortezza da Basso is hosting a giant Ferris wheel, a skating rink, Santa’s house, and a Christmas village; see article here. The Orchestra della Toscana is giving a live concert on the afternoon of Christmas Eve, a tradition but the first since [...]
The city is shining brighter than ever thanks to Florence Light Festival (also known as F-Light), resumed for the holidays after a year’s pause due to COVID. The F-Light Festival is featuring projection mapping with videos that light up many iconic locations in Florence until January 9, every evening from 5:30 pm to midnight. The theme of this particular festival is “Reflections.” In conjunction with F-Light, an art exhibition called ‘WONDERFUL!,’ showing [...]
After an uneventful holiday season last year due to COVID restrictions, upcoming holiday happenings promise to make up for lost time with sights and activities found all around the city. The week of December 8 inaugural program includes tree lighting and a Christmas fair in Santissima Annunziata. CHRISTMAS TREES Majestic firs from the Val di Fassa in northern Italy are being set up, adorned with ornaments and illuminated on the evening of December [...]
AILO Mini Christmas Bazaar Just in time for holiday gift shopping, the American International League of Florence (AILO) is holding a Mini Christmas Bazaar to benefit local charities at the Sala ex Leopoldine, Piazza Tasso 7 from December 4 to 6. On display and for sale will be a fine selection of women’s clothing including several designer brands; accessories; books (in English and Italian); crafts, Christmas decorations; household goods; costume jewellery and more, [...]
For the 22nd iteration of the International Day for the Elimination of the Violence Against Women, the city of Florence will hold numerous initiatives to bring this worldwide issue to the forefront on November 25 and through most of December. The event, recognized by the United Nations General Assembly since 1999, will feature readings, exhibitions and the installation of red lights and benches to consolidate the protection of women against the increasing [...]