This week provides a chance to take a break from holiday preparations and parties to dive into sheer romanticism thanks to events marking the 50th anniversary of the 1968 release of Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet. What does that particular screen adaptation of Romeo and Juliet have to do with Florence & Tuscany? Plenty, as it turns out. The director and co-writer of the screenplay, Franco Zeffirelli, is a native of Florence; many scenes [...]
With the Christmas season now in full swing, the emphasis this week is on family and food, with of course festive musical entertainment, including caroling around the Oltrarno neighborhood on Dec. 18 at 6 pm, organized by St. Mark’s English Church (via Maggio 16); all are welcome to join in and sing. The following is a guide to events. FLORENCE The Children’s Lending Library will host its annual Christmas Party on Saturday, December 15 [...]
From December 8 until January 6, 2019, Florence will truly be a winter wonderland with brilliant adornments around every corner. The Florence Light Festival returns this year with the title “F-Light Your Mind,” inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, and will illuminate the city for a month beginning December 8. The F-Light event will showcase video-mapping, projections, light games, educational activities, special museum tours, shows, and art exhibitions. There will be a new focus [...]
The eighth edition of the Contemporaneamente festival will take place from Saturday, Dec. 1, through Monday, Dec. 24, in Via Maggio and the surrounding neighborhoods. The Via Maggio Association has organized the event to celebrate the holidays in their community with the OmA-Osservatorio Mestieri d’Arte, the Istituto dei Bardi Foundation, and with collaboration of CNA Firenze and Confartigianato imprese Firenze. The fair was started to highlight the artisans, designers and the contemporary culture of [...]
Over 7000 musicians will perform more than 50 hours of free music at Florence’s third annual Strings City festival. The two-day concert series will take place on Saturday, December 1, and Sunday, December 2, spread throughout the whole town. The program is a celebration of music ranging from classical to contemporary styles, including jazz. Strings City is an occasion to experience music in over 50 locations including palaces, libraries, museums, and historical archives [...]
Luckily for the students and U.S. residents living in Florence today, Thanksgiving festivities have gained popularity over the past decade and is now widely celebrated across the city. Many local restaurants will participate in the tradition by serving some of the holiday’s iconic and beloved dishes on this Thanksgiving Day, November 22. Designed for a growing international community and Italian friends, there will be plenty of opportunities to indulge in the culinary delicacies [...]
November 13 – 18: SCHERMO DELL’ARTE. International festival screening films in English at Cinema La Compagnia, Le Murate, Progetti Arte Contemporanea, Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Palazzo Strozzi, and Cango Cantieri Goldonetta. The 11th edition of Lo Schermo dell’Arte is dedicated to the relationship between cinema and art and will feature a diverse selection of feature films, short films and documentaries made by artists. or about artists. All films will be screened in English and some [...]
Until Nov. 10: FESTIVAL DEI POPOLI documentary film festival held at Cinema La Compagnia (via Cavour 50/r), Spazio Alfieri (via dell’Ulivo 6) and the French Institute of Florence (piazza Ognissanti 2/r). The event will host 88 documentary films along with special events and a retrospective dedicated to Italian director and screenwriter Roberto Minervini and French director Dominique Marchais. The festival is chaired by Vittorio Iervese and directed by Alberto Lastrucci and will bring [...]
Halloween in Florence is different than Halloween in America. In Florence, kids do not dress up and walk through the narrow streets knocking on neighbor’s doors saying “trick or treat?” but instead parks and various places organize special events. All ages are invited to come to these festive events and dress up. Cheap and entertaining, activities such as crafts and races are included. Join the fun and experience a Florence Halloween! Saturday, [...]
Until January 13: PRIMO CONTI: FANFARE & SILENCE. Villa Bardini, Costa San Giorgio 2. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 – 7 pm (visitors admitted until 6 pm). Tickets are available via online reservation for €10 (€5 reduced); free guided tours are included on Sunday are included in the price of admission. Visitors can park for free within Forte Belvedere at via San Leonardo, 1. Conti was born in Florence in 1900 and [...]