Florence’s ‘Futura’ 2021 New Year Celebrations

What a difference a year makes!  This year Florence residents will not be regaled with their choice of music in the piazzas; no gala three-hour dinners followed by the midnight brindisi of spumante on December 31 and dancing till dawn.  No jostling crowds of merrymakers can be seen filling the streets and alleys with cheer and joyful noise.  But there is optimism for enjoyment with a calmer celebration.

NEW YEAR’S EVE

The Municipality, supported by Toscana Energia and MUS.E cultural association, has planned a program filled with entertainment for all on this end of year holiday.  The event, dubbed FUTURA, inspired by Lucio Dalla’s popular song, offers a message of hope after the dark pandemic period of 2020.  Mayor Dario Nardella said, “We did not want to give up New Year’s,” so organizers created a show which can be enjoyed at home by everyone.

FUTURA starts at 1:30 pm on the 31st with “A New Year’s Eve for Children,” bursting with magic, wonder and imagination, broadcast on RTV38 and again at 4 pm on the Città di Firenze YouTube channel.  Young viewers will be enchanted by the magic of Mattia Boschi, the wizard of the Disney Channel.  The young and talented magician plans a show encouraging spectators to believe in their dreams and to also look at the coming year with new eyes inspired by hope.

The show, beginning at 7 pm on the Città di Firenze YouTube channel and repeated at 9 pm on RTV38, alternates performances from various rooms of the Palazzo Vecchio Museum.  The imposing venue, Florence’s city hall and symbol of civic power since the 13th century, also served as the residence of the ruling Medici family during the 16th century.  The theme of the event, written and directed by Edoardo Zucchetti and Francesco Cacchiani, showcases magic emanating from the enchanting Palazzo Vecchio.  In a deserted and hushed Florence, actor Maurizio Lombardi, suddenly appears, and with a magic spell, transports spectators into Palazzo Vecchio, guiding us throughout the evening.  Here in the midst of frescoes and sculptures, tapestries and paintings, an evening of music and dance will commence.  Cellist Naomi Berrill accompanies dancer Jennifer Rosati, the protagonist of Opus Ballet Company.  Rapper Ghemon will perform in another evocative setting with Roman singer-songwriter Daniele Silvestri on stage in yet another room.

Known for his social commitment, Silvestri won the both the Mia Martini critics award and the Lucio Dalla press award for his song “Argentovivo,” presented at the 2019 San Remo Music Festival.  He was also one of the top artists at the 2007 edition of San Remo with “La Paranza,” which won a David di Donatello (Italy’s Oscar) for best original song as part of a movie soundtrack as well.  Known for his talent as an exponent of hip hop and the success of his latest album “Scritto nelle stelle” (Written on the Stars), released during the first 2020 lockdown, Ghemon has been invited to compete at the 2021 San Remo festival.  Naomi Berrill is an Irish singer and musician who calls Florence home, along with Jennifer Rosati, a native of Honduras specializing in both classical and contemporary dance; Rosati won a scholarship to come to the city of the Renaissance where she launched her career.  Maurizio Lombardi is a Florentine actor best known for his roles in Paolo Sorrentino’s “The Young Pope,” “The Name of the Rose” and Matteo Garrone’s “Pinocchio.”

Florence’s culture councilor, Tommaso Sacchi, hopes Florentines can imagine a simpler, happier future in 2021 and leave the difficult months behind.  “The words, gestures, bodies, and notes of the artists we have involved will be arrive in the homes of all residents and signals a new start together,” says Mayor Nardella, adding, “it is a way to stay close to our citizens on this evening in the hope that 2021 will bring us a more serene health situation.”

Both shows will remain on YouTube, and can be seen in the upcoming days.  (rita kungel/additional reporting by rosanna cirigliano)