From May 6–10 Florence will host the Festival D’Europa, an academic, social, and cultural series of 120 events taking place in over 40 locations.
The academic focus is on the future of the European Union, centering on themes like sustainable democratic participation, new models of integration, migratory phenomena, development of European schools and universities, food security and the future of the ‘digital ecosystem.’ The central academic event is the State of the Union conference, where academics and professionals will gather to discuss relevant economic, social, political, and cultural issues.
Beyond the academic emphasis, there will be plenty of entertainment, including concerts, art exhibits, live cooking demonstrations, interactive workshops, circus performances and even a flash mob.
On May 9 at Villa Salviati, the Historical Archives of the European Union will host an Open Day. Beginning at 10am, the event will showcase the finalists of an art competition, with participants from the Academies of Fine Arts of Florence and Carrara. After a musical performance by Maestro Marco Vavolo, the winner will be selected and his or her artwork will be displayed in Villa Salviati’s Park. The rest of the day will consist of guided tours of Villa Silviati and its gardens, cooking workshops, and circus workshops fit for children and families.
Other events:
Free Tastings
May 7–9, 9am–2pm, Mercato Sant’Ambrogio
Tastes of the Mediterranean, free of charge
Nice to Meet Electra
May 9, 10am–6.30pm, Cascine Park
Electric scooter tours of the city
Rockgarden X Europe
May 9, 5–10pm, Giardino San Jacopino
Musical performances by young groups, followed by pop-rock-blues groups Strane Coincidenze and Coldonia Dream Men in the evening
Sherlock Holmes and the Secrets of the Yellow Book
May 9, 6–10.30pm, British Institute
Aperitivo with screenings of the British series The Return of Sherlock Holmes
For the full program, visit festivaldeuropa.eu.
