While Tuscany has been designated a “orange” zone starting on Monday, April 12, with consequent more lenient anti-Covid regulations, both the province of Prato and the Florence metropolitan area with its 995,000 residents, will remain in the “red” zone until April 17 at 2 pm. The two areas have a contagion rate that exceeds 250 people per 100,000 inhabitants. While the number of new cases are beginning to drop, the situation is close [...]
Although not as well known as its more famous neighbors the Uffizi Galleries and the Pitti Palace, the Vasari Corridor over Ponte Vecchio is home to one of the world’s most celebrated collections. After five years of being closed to the public, work on the corridor will begin after Easter, in view of a planned reopening date of May 27, 2022. The project will involve restoration as well as the inclusion of safety [...]
Unlike 2020, when all events were canceled, Florence’s Easter traditions–with a creative twist–will take place in 2021 despite the pandemic and the restrictions imposed by the “red zone,” with limitations designed to lower the number of contagions. The “Scoppio del Carro,” (the Explosion of the Cart), returning to Piazza Duomo on Easter morning in front of the Cathedral, can be watched only starting at 9 am via streaming or TV broadcast beginning [...]
This year Italians commemorate the 700th anniversary of the death of Dante Alighieri, known in Italy as Il Sommo Poeta, the Supreme Poet. Numerous events, exhibitions and activities, organized in the cities of Florence, Ravenna, Rome and Verona, are open to the public to learn more about Dante. INAUGURAL INITIATIVES The Council of Ministers has established Thursday, March 25 officially as “Dantedi’,” or Dante Day, kicking off on Dantedi’ with events planned [...]
Since becoming an established art collective, Female Artisans in Florence (FAF) has been embarking on a new endeavor over the last year – a coworking studio/workshop and gallery space located at Borgo San Frediano 131/r. Their story is being highlighted in the Magenta Florence series highlighting notable women during March, Women’s National History Month. FAF also host exhibitions including “Transeo” by Olga Ermol, a young Ukrainian artist, through March 20. On March 22, [...]
It took a young American woman, Robbin Gheesling, to rediscover and bring attention to Florence’s miniature “wine doors” on the façade of ancient buildings in the last decade. Her story is being highlighted in the Magenta Florence series highlighting notable women during the week of International Women’s Day on March 8. Walking through Florence in the labyrinth of streets between the Duomo and the River Arno, one might come across a curious sight. [...]
La Festa della Donna or International Women’s Day on March 8 brings a variety of events to Florence. Though Women’s Day was first started in the United States in 1909, it was not long after that many countries started to include it as a national holiday, with Italy commencing its celebrations in 1922. As the day approaches its nearly 100th anniversary in Italy, it has since become a global celebration in which women’s [...]
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi has signed the first official decree of the newly-formed government, which will go into effect on March 6 and will last until April 6, two days after Easter, implementing restrictions designed to lower the number of infections and deaths from the virus. GENERAL RULES Italy will continue to be divided in “red,” “orange”, and “yellow” zones, which reflect the severity of Coronavirus contagions in addition to the newly [...]
Black History Month (BHM) began in the United States during the 1970s with the aim to recognize the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. Florence began Black History Month Florence (BHMF) in 2016 with a mission to celebrate narratives of African descendent and diasporic communities in Italy. In 2018, Bologna become the second Italian city to provide cross-cultural events during BHM via Black History Month Bologna (BHMB). This year, BHMF will [...]
The Roman poet Virgil once said, “Love conquers all things.” Even in the darkest of times, what gets us through is the love we have for one another. This Valentine’s Day, remind your loved ones just how lucky you are to have them by surprising them with something outside of the box. GIFTS Jane Harman Borgo San Frediano, 131r Celebrate two souls becoming one with a unique work of art. Talented art [...]