Barbara Deimling is the Director or Syracuse University in Florence. Barbara, who is originally from Germany, has always loved Florence and came here in 1997 to join the faculty and then became director. She lives in Florence with her husband and 3 young children.
What do you love about Florence?
The people, the human aspect of people. I have dealt with many professional people here, and they give more of themselves personally beyond their professional expertise. I love the urban fabric, the beauty of the architecture, the food, the light, the air, the wine. We have a word for this in German, “Gesamtkunstwerk,” which means a complete work of art.
What don’t you like, or what is the hardest for you?
The inefficiency of some public institutions, too much bureaucracy that seems to make things
unnecessarily cumbersome.
When you leave Florence for a period of time, what do you miss?
People, street contact. To have someone say buongiorno to me and mean it.
Where is your favourite place to get an aperitivo?
Cibreo Cafe
A cappuccino in the morning?
Bar Elia (our coffee bar at Syracuse)
Go for a run?
Via della Corno toward Marignolle
Go for Sunday meal?
Pane Vino in Piazza Cestello
Go out with your family?
Go to the park at Villa Strozzi
Go for dinner?
Pane Vino
What’s your favourite Italian dish? And where do you get it?
Spaghetti alle vongole (but I like it best in Rome)
What’s your favourite romantic thing to do?
Dinner at Pane Vino
When you have guests where do you like to take them? Museum, church, street, store?
The Oltrarno. I love Via San Niccolò, Santa Maria del Carmine.
What’s your preferred out of town excursion?
Rome
If you had only one day in Florence, how would you spend the day?
I would go to San Miniato al Monte and get the overall view of the city, then just go from there.
What advice do you have about living here and how to appreciate it the most?
Be courageous to accept the differences that you are presented with.
What is the most common misunderstanding Americans (English speakers) have about Florence?
They feel it is a Disneyland, not a real place where people work and live.
What is the most common misunderstanding Italians have about Americans (English speakers)?
That they are superficial and not cultured. They think that Americans have nothing to offer culturally.
Who has been the most, or one of the most interesting people you have met here?
There are two people. One is Maestro Tangucci, the director of Teatro Maggio Musicale. I was
moved by his openness to engage himself and do something that was so different than what is expected.
The other person is the former Consul General, Bill McIlhenny. He explained to me, so concisely, how the American community can give back to the community of Florence. And he didn’t just talk about it, he inspired me through his actions.
If you were going to describe Florence as a person or personality, how would you do it?
A 62 year old contessa.
What do you think the ‘gift’ is of living in Florence…what has it been for you? How have you changed by being in Florence?
It has made me more human in every aspect of my life. In Florence I don’t feel I need to compartmentalise who I am. I feel more fully integrated as a professional, a mother, a family member, a friend.
