Has fashion finally become inclusive? The summer edition of Florence’s twice-a-year Pitti Uomo menswear trade show (June 11-14) has become more accessible than ever. Gone are the days when firms showcased their collections to the buyers behind the magnificent but closed doors of the Hotel Villa Medici. After an evening of public festivities on Ponte Vecchio, via Maggio and via Tornabuoni on the evening of June 10, capped with fireworks, the official [...]
New York University Florence’s The Season will make its triumphant return from June 6 to June 27 at the stunning Villa La Pietra in Via Bolognese, 120. Set in the picturesque hills on the outskirts of Florence, this free summer festival celebrates collaborations between the literary, visual and performing arts by hosting classes, workshops and free events for emerging talents to hone their craft, collaborate with established artists, and present their work in [...]
The month of June has ushered in the 2019 edition of Estate Fiorentina, Florence’s largest cultural festival featuring six months of live concerts, art exhibitions, and other cultural events. This year’s offerings promise to be extremely exciting, with several new spaces throughout the city and a total of 143 events. The Estate Fiorentina comprises festivities such as Firenze dall’Alto, Secret Florence, Apriti Cinema!, Musica sui sagrati, Florence Dance Festival, MusArt Festival, Firenze Jazz [...]
The 75th anniversary of Allied liberation of Tuscany is the focus of a tribute at the traditional Memorial Day ceremony on May 27 at the Florence American Cemetery located in Falciani. Following the capture of Rome on June 4, 1944, Allied forces pursued the occupying German army northward through Tuscany and towards the Po River and the Alps, ending Mussolini’s fascist regime. The soldiers who lost their lives in this campaign were shortly [...]
Walking down the timeless Florentine streets, attention is often drawn to a majestic doorway, barred windows with a faint view of frescoed ceilings, and wisteria vines climbing the balconies of a private courtyard. All this and more will be available to the general public during the upcoming Open Courtyards and Gardens on May 19, thanks to the efforts of the A.D.S.I. (Association of Historic Homes). Of special note: behind normally closed doors, a [...]
Restorations of ancient spaces and additions of modern elements are giving a new and exciting look to Boboli gardens. The Pitti Palace museum complex also provides the opportunity to visit two art shows—one that is contemporary and the other historical. The Ananassi Botanical Gardens within Boboli is now accessible to the public for the first time in history (hours: 9 am to 1 pm Monday – Friday). The only Romantic style garden in [...]
Music lovers can look forward to the start of the 82nd edition of the Maggio Musicale Festival. “Power and Virtue” is the leitmotif, one that will be reflected in 130 appointments over two months involving 50 cultural institutions throughout the region of Tuscany. The Festival will be inaugurated on May 2 and the day is rich with offerings, free of charge, beginning with a concert by the Maggio Musicale Brass Ensemble at Piazza [...]
Almost as an unintended spin-off of the TV drama series “Medici”—or perhaps a continuation of the saga—this year Florence commemorate two remarkable Florentines on the 500th anniversary of their births. During the celebrations, 22 institutions in more than 50 events will tell the stories of the two personages who both attained royal status. Born only a few weeks apart in 1519, Cosimo I de’ Medici and Catherine (Caterina) de’ Medici influenced the Renaissance [...]
Easter Sunday, April 21: SCOPPIO DEL CARRO, THE EXPLOSION OF THE CART. Porta a Prato and Piazza del Duomo. 8:15 – 11:30 am. Free admission. Be sure to arrive early to find a place (standing room only) in piazza del Duomo to witness Florence’s time-honored Easter tradition, Lo Scoppio del Carro. As a participant of an 11th century Crusade, Florentine Pazzino di Pazzi was the first soldier to scale the walls of Jerusalem and was [...]
VILLA LA PIETRA An Easter Egg Hunt entitled “Friends of Florence” will be taking place on the breathtaking grounds of Villa La Pietra on the NYU campus. Feel free to arrive at 4 pm on April 16 to take part in the simple Easter tradition. Don’t be late for the egg hunt will start at exactly 4:30 pm. One is asked to bring a bag or a basket for collecting eggs. While older [...]