SAINTLY/Festa della Cultura June 13-24
‘The future is now’ is the tagline for the fourth edition of this cultural festival, which highlights student artists and musicians inspired by Florence’s greatest exponents, past and present. The program will include exhibitions by Florentine artists Alessandro Vannini and Antonio Ciccone, piano concerts, mass in English at the church of Santi Apostoli and more. Celebrating the Feast Day of the city’s patron saint, the event series is organized with support from the City of Florence, and The Florentine is a media partner. For more information, visit the festival website.
TRADITION/Calcio Storico June 13, 5pm Piazza Santa Croce, Florence
Brace yourselves: calcio storico is back! The quintessential Florentine sport hosts its traditional Santa Croce takeover. Matches kick off this week with the Greens versus the Reds on June 13. There are still tickets available for the first match, but act quickly! The Whites will battle the Blues in a sold-out match on June 14. Anticipation for the June 24 final is already building! For more information on the game, see the official website; purchase your tickets at boxofficetoscana.it.
ph. Marco Badiani
VOGUE/Pitti Uomo June 16–19Fortezza da Basso, viale Filippo Strozzi, Florence
Winter came, we blinked, and Pitti season is upon us again! The trade shows and parties for the world-renowned menswear showcase are closed as custom goes, but every Florentine knows there’s no better people-watching than when the Pitti tastemakers come to town. Not a card-carrying fashion insider? No worries: catch some of the excitement at the Marino Marini Museum, which hosts an exhibition on men’s fashion icon Nino Cerruti from June 16 to July 7. Additionally, keep your eyes peeled for prominent figures on the fashion scene, and if you’ve got a daring outfit you’ve been too timid to don, these are the days to do it. This edition’s theme is That’s Pitticolor, so wear your best and brightest.
SOUNDS/MTV Awards June 14, 8pm Cascine Park, piazzale del Re, Florence Now a fixture on Florence’s June calendar, the MTV Awards are back! This year, Italy’s highly anticipated music awards show will be hosted by young Lombard rapper Emis Killa. Not so invested in the winners? Put on your dancing shoes for the 11pm afterparty, also in the Cascine, featuring music from Andrea Delogu, Ema Stokholma and Milanese DJ duo Pink is Punk. Entry is free. Follow the details and developments on the official website.
CONTEMPORARY/Mind the Gap June 13–August 8 Eduardo Secci Contemporary Gallery, via Maggio 51r, Florence
Borrowing its title from the ubiquitous London Underground warning, this group exhibition explores existential themes and the idea of the ‘void.’ What’s in a metaphorical ‘gap’–and why should we mind it? The show includes work by three Italians and one Welsh artist, and varies from photography and sculpture to a nature-themed installation. For more information, visit the gallery website.