Ensembles participating in the Fiesole Music School session of the European Chamber Music Academy (ECMA) this summer will give free concerts in the ancient refectory of Santa Croce on July 19 and 20. ECMA aims to form a growth and exchange circuit for chamber ensembles, involving top-class European educational institutions and festivals from all over Europe and beyond. The performances, which begin at 9:30 pm, will take place under The Tree of [...]
View Florence through the eyes of someone who’s captured the city’s authentic community in Kathleen Knippel’s photography exhibition at the San Lorenzo Central Market. “The Square and its Market” show is free and will be up until July 10. The exhibition spans from the windows of Brilli Pet Boutique to many other shops in the Central Market for a total of 18 displays. Taken in the early seventies, the photos on display captured [...]
In celebration of the 734th anniversary of the Santa Maria Nuova Hospital (L’Ospedale di Santa Maria Nuova), the Santa Maria Nuova Foundation has organized a full day of events on June 23 dedicated to two historical figures: Folco Portinari and Maurizio Bufalini. The Santa Maria Nuova Hospital is the oldest hospital that is still active worldwide, founded in 1288 when the first of the two honorees, Portinari, a Florentine, donated the land. The [...]
Rediscover hidden and unusual spots in Florence through a varied arts program called ‘Secret Florence’ starting June 4. June 4 – 5: FABLES Cascine Park. 4:15 pm, 4:45 pm, 7:15 pm, and 7:30 pm. The Virgilio Sieni Dance Production Center organizes a series of dance performances on the theme of fairytales (including Little Red Riding Hood), aimed for children of all ages in the most secret and thickly wooded spots in the Cascine monumental [...]
40th Anniversary of the arrival of Michelangelo’s David in the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence (1882-2022). All events take place on Mondays at 7 pm and are free to all. Availability is limited; the last entrance is at 6:30 pm. On July 22, 1882, 140 years ago, Michelangelo’s David moved to a new home, accessible to the public eye, in the Galleria dell’Accademia, via Ricasoli 58/60. Placed inside by architect Emilio de Fabris, the [...]
Just a few days after Easter Sunday, the St. James Episcopal Church (via Rucellai 9) will be hosting the Cantanti Sabrinensis concert, on Tuesday, April 19 at 9 pm. The performance, titled “I Believe: Scenes from the Life of Christ,” spotlights music composed to reflect moments in the life of Christ as is depicted in the Apostles Creed, with an emphasis on Easter week. Beginning with modern and ending with ancient, the [...]
Everyone in Florence is made aware that it is Florentine New Year on March 25 also thanks to an afternoon historical parade filling the streets with elaborate Renaissance dress and music that begins in the Piazzetta della Parte Guelfa, near Piazza Repubblica that unfolds in the streets of the city before reaching Piazza Santissima Annunziata. From 1250 to 1750 the people of Florence gathered in piazza SS Annunziata to welcome the arrival of [...]
American students at local study centers will devote their afternoon to cleaning wall vandalism as well as the city streets for the sixth annual “Big Event” on Thursday, March 10. Florence’s “Big Event” will unite students from James Madison and Florida State universities, residents, and local businesses with one common purpose: to maintain the city’s historic architecture. The public is invited to join in; those interested are asked to meet in Piazza [...]
A step towards normalcy and a sign of hope is the message that the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore wants to give by reopening to the public. Starting in March 2022, all the landmarks in the Florence Cathedral complex began to offer extended hours as before the COVID-19 pandemic. There will also be free admission for residents of the Metropolitan Area of Florence (*see list municipalities included below), every first Sunday of [...]
In honor of what would have been the 99th birthday of renowned Italian director and producer Franco Zeffirelli (1923-2019), the Zeffirelli Foundation is offering free admission to residents of the Florence metropolitan area on February 12 from 10 am to 6 pm (I.D. and Super Green Pass required for entrance). Born in Florence, Zeffirelli attended the Accademia di Belle Arti at the Piazza San Marco and later the University of Florence. He left [...]
