‘Festa della Toscana’ 2024: Land of Genius & Innovation

Festa della Toscana is a day dedicated to celebrating the abolition of the death penalty–Tuscany was the first European state to do so. To honor that historic decision, authorities and citizens commemorate the date every year on November 30, as it was originally outlawed in 1786 by Grand Duke Leopold II. On this day, palaces and monuments across all 273 Tuscan municipalities are illuminated in red. 

This year, the Festa della Toscana will feature a variety of events and exhibitions with the underlying theme of “Tuscany, Land of Genius and Innovation.” Highlights include free guided tours, performances, art exhibitions, and discussions involving renowned figures. The morning will begin with a solemn session of the Tuscan Regional Council at the Cinema La Compagnia in Florence, featuring speeches by distinguished figures, including historian of science Paolo Galluzzi, Rector Sabina Nuti of the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna in Pisa, and Eugenio Giani, president of the region. 

Regarding this year’s edition, regional council president Antonio Mazzeo said, “I am delighted to focus on a theme close to my heart: genius and innovation. Tuscany is a land of art, culture, and beauty, but it is also a land of innovation. More innovation means more rights. This theme has shaped the Festa della Toscana over the years. We began with the abolition of the death penalty, the foundation of this celebration. We have addressed themes of liberty, giving voice to the voiceless, and combating hate speech.”

This year, Festa della Toscana will offer free guided tours at 3 pm. and 5:30 pm at historic Palazzo Bastogi (via Cavour 18, Florence), where the Tuscan Regional Council meets. Additionally, at 4:30 pm  there will be a tour of the historical archives of the Regional Council of Tuscany, led by Monica Valentini. This will include a presentation of the archive of renowned Florentine journalist Oriana Fallaci.  At 3:45 pm, institutional greetings from members of the Tuscan regional council will take place in the Gonfalone Hall of Palazzo del Pegaso. The concert “La nostra gente,” featuring Gaia Nanni, Alessio Sardelli, and Roberto Beneventi, will follow, with performances scheduled at 4 pm and 5:45 pm. Another concert by pianist and composer Gulia Mazzoni, Solo Piano Concert, is scheduled for 5 pm and 6:30 pm in the Salone delle Feste of Palazzo Bastogi. 

Art lovers are welcome to visit various exhibitions, such as “Gutai – Primo Assalto” by Shozo Shimamoto and “Gallery of Tuscan Genius in Augmented Reality” (Galleria del Genio toscano in realtà aumentata) at Palazzo Bastogi. Another interesting exhibition titled “Memory and Freedom,” featuring paintings by Emanuele Favi from 1969 to 2024, is currently displayed at Palazzo del Pegaso. (Paulina Juzak)