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, all donated to the organization. [...]
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 [...]
While universal holiday festivities such as Christmas and Easter were missed by since the start of the pandemic, the American community in Florence in particular saw the 2020 edition of their Thanksgiving celebrations pass by with little of the usual fanfare and excitement that previous years had brought. With the reopening of much of Florence during this past year, there is a sense of eagerness to celebrate the return of in-person connection and [...]
In memory of the treaty ending the First World War, both the English and American communities are celebrating the significance of November 11, the anniversary of Armistice Day in 1918. Whether it’s called Remembrance Day or Veteran’s Day, both commemorate retired or deceased members of the military for the service they gave to their countries. A select number of sites are using this day to pay their respects and open their doors to [...]
Michelangelo’s newly restored Florentine Pietà, also known as the Bandini Pietà or Deposition, was recently unveiled in the Cathedral, or Opera del Duomo, museum. At 73, Michelangelo Buonarroti was thinking of his death surely not far off when he began working on the sculpture The Deposition, better known as the Bandini Pietà. He attempted a feat that few 16th century artists would endeavor—that of carving more than one figure from a single [...]
Halloween creeps closer day-by-day, and with that comes a plethora of new events for the spooky season in Florence. Shows, costumes, family fun and more can be found throughout the city and beyond to celebrate the first holiday of the fall season. Pupi di Stac show hosted at Hard Rock Cafe Those seeking a puppet show fit for Halloween will be happy to hear that Hard Rock Cafe is hosting one right on [...]
This week brings Florence’s L’Eredità delle Donne (The Legacy of Women), a festival devoted to the celebration and empowerment of women, whose contributions have been historically overlooked. The initiative seeks to bring women and women’s issues to the forefront of the city while engaging with the public, creating an atmosphere of inclusivity during its three-day run. Oct. 22, 23, 24: L’EREDITÀ DELLE DONNE will be held at the Manifattura Tabacchi which is located [...]
This weekend, a number of privately-owned villas and institutes can be visited in Florence thanks to FAI’s “Autumn Days.” These normally-inaccessible properties, of historic and cultural interest, are open to the public this year just once, from Saturday, October 16 to Sunday, October 17, thanks to tours given by FAI volunteers with a minimum donation of €3. FAI, or the Fondo Ambiente Italiano, is modeled after the National Trust found in the [...]
In a year marked by an unprecedented social revolution that sparked widespread difficult conversations about people that the world favors and those it does not, one can’t help but wonder who else throughout history has been left behind and whose work has yet to receive its proper moment in the spotlight. In this spirit of searching out and celebrating those voices too often swept under the rug, the 14th iteration of the Ethnomusical [...]
