Talks in English, One by Author Ross King, the Second on Armenia

Two lectures are being presented in English in Florence this week. On November 8, Ross King, a bestselling author of books on art and history, will give a talk on his most recent book, The Bookseller of Florence – the life of Vespasiano da Bisticci, “the king of the world’s booksellers.” Bisticci, born in Florence in 1422, became the most prominent manuscript dealer and merchant of knowledge in 15th century Europe. His clients ranged from kings, popes, princes, and three generations of the Medici. The invention of the printing press in the mid 15th century forever altered the way knowledge was spread, affecting Bisticci’s work and the world of readers. This lecture will take place at the British Institute Library at 6 pm with a registration fee of €12 per person. The lecture is also available virtually with a voluntary donation by registering here, and a recording of the lecture will be posted on the British Institute of Florence’s YouTube channel following the event, accessible free of charge. 

On November 9, California State University International Programs in Florence will host “Armenia, An Endangered Nation and Culture,” a lecture given by Enrico Calossi (Università di Pisa, California State University), Araks Kasyan (journalist, Deputy Director at Armen Press), Lilit Popoyan (economist, University of London, NYU), and Jacopo Santini (documentary photographer, NYU, CEA CAPA). This discussion will pay specific attention to the history of Armenia, the memory of genocide and its lack of recognition in Turkey; the Nagorno-Karabakh war from 1988 to the exodus in 2023; and the current geopolitical emergency caused by over 120,000 refugees. The event, in collaboration with CEA CAPA, will take place at 6 pm at Via G. Leopardi 12.  (abigail dawson)