Florence ‘Painted Blue’ for the Festival of Europe

Florence celebrates the Festival of Europe from May 1 through 10, hosting conferences, workshops and cultural events that commemorate the European Union, formed in 1993. Like Domenico Modugno’s signature song (Volare or “Blu Dipinto di Blu” and the EU flag, the theme color is blue. The agenda includes the popular Villa Salviati Open Day (May 4), “Notte Blu” artistic activities, family events and language exchange (May 9 – 10), and The Global March for Human Rights (May 10). 

Within the Festival of Europe is the State of the Union (May 2 – 4). Hosted by the European University Institute (EUI) at various venues in Fiesole and downtown Florence, the State of the Union is one of the European Union’s most important annual events. Academics and leading politicians take the opportunity to try to find answers to crucial questions that the EU faces in public settings.

Reflecting this year’s theme “21st Century Democracy in Europe,” the Festival of Europe kicks off with the photo show “A Dream Called Europe.” Exploring the everyday life of migrants in Europe, the exhibition brings to light the challenges they encounter in their new home (May 1 – 9, Palazzo Strozzi courtyard, 10 am to 8 pm, free entrance).

FESTIVAL OF EUROPE HIGHLIGHTS
Friday, May 3: An exhibition with English captions, “40 Years of European Parliament Direct Elections,” will open to the public (Palazzo Vecchio, Michelozzo courtyard. 8 am – 8 pm; free admission).  The show comprises original posters by Jean-Michel Folon and a sculpture of the artist.

The Fabbrica Europa Performing Arts Festival will host La Fura dels Baus, a Catalan modern dance group.  Their show, Free Bach 212, based on the BauernKantate (Peasant Cantata) BWV 212 by J. S. Bach, is characterized by innovation, rhythm and transgression.  The composer’s last cantata will be played by the Divina Mysteria ensemble with dancers incorporating the passionate, sensual movements of the flamenco. The updated plot revolves around a wealthy tax-collector-turned-king’s exaltation of his luxurious lifestyle. The eccentric style of the group will be featured in the piece’s inclusion of unconventional instruments, contemporary poetry, and use of multimedia. The choral component will be sung by Mariola Membrives, a Spanish flamenco dancer and jazz singer (Stazione Leopolda, viale Fratelli Rosselli, 5.  9:30 pm; admission fee).

Saturday, May 4: A showcase of the State of the Union week, the Open Day at Villa Salviati, welcomes guests to tour the villa and gardens from 10 am to 6 pm. This year’s Open Day includes circus activities, dance performances with participation and story-telling, culminating in a big band concert by REMUTO. 

The residence was owned by the Salviati family during the Renaissance.  The wealthy wool merchants and bankers were related to the powerful Medici and influenced much of the political and social life of the era.  Villa Salviati, surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, grottos and elaborate stonework, now houses the historical archives of the European Union. 

All Open Day events are free and open to the public.  Villa Salviati is accessible only on foot from gates at via Bolognese, 156 and via Faentina, 261.  Take bus 25 from San Marco and get off at the Il Cionfo 01 stop; alternatively, parking is available at Stazione FS Salviati on via Faentina.

Also on Saturday, a seminar “Microcosm and Macrocosm:  The Legacy of Leonardo da Vinci in the Children’s Hospital” will be sponsored by the Meyer Children’s Hospital Foundation.  The presentation is based on Da Vinci’s anatomical studies and the life of infants and children in 15th century Florence (Sala Luca Giordano, Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, via Cavour, Florence. 10 am  – 12 noon; conference in English).

May 7 – 9:  Little Fun Palace, a project which aims to improve accessibility in a range of activities, presents workshops, expert discussions, and cultural activities freely available to the public. The ultimate objective is to create a ‘street university,’ where people of any age or background can meet and interact with a range of figures, from artists to philosophers, scientists to architects, and others (PARC Performing Arts Research Centre, Piazzale delle Cascine 4/5/7. 6 to 8 pm; free admission.  The event is in Italian).

Thursday, May 9:  French composer, sax and clarinet player Michel Portal performs classical and avant-garde jazz joined by the young French jazz violinist Theo Ceccaldi (Teatro della Pergola, Saloncino. 9:30 pm; admission €12).

May 9 – 10:  Former convent and prison now transformed into a cultural center, Le Murate, offers two days of free events themed: La Notte Blu (Blue Night).  A workshop featuring street artists geared for children aged 6 – 13, a photo show, an Italian-English language exchange and a flash mob are among the events planned (Le Murate, Piazza delle Murate; free admission).

Friday, May 10:  The Global March for Human Rights welcomes the public to join children, teenagers and teachers from local schools in the march to heighten awareness of human rights and respect for diversity and different religions.  The route, beginning at Piazza Azeglio, passes several places of worship, including the synagogue and the Islamic prayer hall, before arriving at the Basilica of Santa Croce (10:30 am to 12:30 pm.  Open to all).

A STATE OF THE UNION SAMPLER
In addition to cultural events, the organizers of the State of the Union have planned conferences, panels and discussions on current issues in the European Union.  The program is open to the general public, but with prior registration only.

Thursday, May 2

There will be a workshop in English on “The EU-Africa Relations and Future Challenges:  Closing the Gap Between Rhetoric and Reality,” (University of Florence, Building D-15, Room 004. 9:15 am to 7 pm).

A conference in English entitled “Punching Above Its Weight? European Parliament’s Diplomacy in Support of Democracy in the EU’s Eastern Neighborhood since 2014” will be hosted by the European University Institute (Badia Fiesolana, Emeroteca, EUI. 11:30 am to 1 pm).

A roundtable discussion on “Trust in the Single Market?  The Case of the EU Emissions Trading” is scheduled in the Sala Europa, Villa Schifanoia, via Boccaccia 121, in English from 11:30 am to 1 pm. 

A conference in English entitled “How Should Education Approach the European Project in a Rapidly Changing World?  30 years of Jean Monnet Activities” can be attended (Badia Fiesolana, Refettorio, EUI. 11 am to 1 pm).

“Launch of the Voting Advice App Euandi 2019” is a press conference held in English accessible to journalists and State of the Union 2019 registered participants in Villa Salviati’s Sala del Camino from 12:15 to 12:45 pm. 

A conference in English on the issue of “Space and Democracy” will take place in the Sala Alcide de Gasperi, Villa Salviati between 2:30 and 4 pm.

A roundtable discussion in Italian on “Il Futuro della Democrazia” (The Future of Democracy) is offered at the Badia Fiesolana, Emeroteca, EUI. 4:30 to 6:30 pm.

The European University Institute and organizers of the Festival of Europe and the State of the Union welcome participants in all events; for further information and registration, see the State of the Union website.  (rita kungel/additional reporting by katy rose sparks)