Spring is a time to celebrate rebirth, and Florence and Italy are buzzing with energy, hope and the promise of new beginnings. The exhibit The Springtime of the Renaissance at Palazzo Strozzi celebrates the heyday of Florentine artistic creation, a time when art started to blossom throughout the city, when ideas were hatching left, right and centre, and creative genius made Florence a focal point in Europe.
Scoppio del carro | Photo by David Duran on Flickr
As Roman Catholics herald a new pope, a symbol of rebirth for the church, Florentines will celebrate Easter with the traditional scoppio del carro. An explosion of colour, light and energy in front of the Duomo, the fireworks bursting from a cart pulled by white oxen celebrate the joy of the resurrection of Christ. The dove, which triggers the festivities, symbolises hope for the future, and the fireworks and explosion of the cart remind us that, just as the death of Jesus was transformed into a miraculous rebirth, so the dark days of winter, of financial austerity and political turmoil, can bloom into spring and a renaissance for all of us.
For information on the exhibit, The Springtime of the Renaissance, see www.palazzostrozzi.org, and for details of the scoppio del carro, visit www.comune.firenze.it
Happy Easter and Happy Renaissance!
