Flower Show Revitalizes Pzz. Ciompi

Efforts to revitalize the historic Piazza dei Ciompi will include a weekly flower fair held every Friday starting on October 19. The fair is organized by the Confartigianato and the Horticulture Society and will host a vibrant selection of flowers, plants, garden supplies and books.

The Horticulture Society contacted dozens of their seasonal plant and flower exhibitors to gauge interest in the proposed weekly events and proceeded with their plans after receiving positive feedback.

Counselor for Economic Development and Tourism Cecilia Del Re described the initiative as “another piece in the overall design to give new life to this beautiful space.” The project received its final green light when Del Re’s proposal was approved at a recent session at the Palazzo Vecchio.

The flower fair will offer a wide variety of products to meet shoppers’ fall gardening needs, such as perennials, vases, seeds and bulbs. Once a month, the plant and flower vendors will be joined by independent Florentine bookshops selling literature alongside the autumn flora. Participating vendors will receive an 80% discount on rental fees for their spot in the piazza and an additional 50% off advertising costs.

Food vendors will not be allowed at the event.

In addition to this fresh new initiative, there is good news for thrifty shoppers who miss the vintage and antique stalls that formerly occupied the square. Plans are underway for an annual reinstatement of the antique market. The event is tentatively planned for April 25, 2019 and will encompass hundreds of antique dealers in an exposition stretching from the Piazza Annigoni to the Piazza dei Ciompi and the surrounding streets. (leigh van ryn)