MUSIC AND ART/ Firenze Suona Contemporanea
Until September 24
The Monochromatic Garden
This festival celebrates the out-of-the-ordinary with a range of experimental events related to contemporary art and music. The 11th edition runs until September 27 with a series of exhibitions, installations and concerts across four locations: Museo Novecento, the Tepidarium in Giardino dell’Orticoltura on via Vittorio Emanuele, Manifattura Tabacchi and the Marino Marini Museum. This year’s title is “The Monochromatic Garden,” based on Zen gardens and the influence of Japanese culture on the West. Under the direction of Italo-American composer Andrea Cavallari, some highlights include renowned English composer Michael Nyman’s Earthquakes, and American artist Nancy Burson’s glass sculpture titled DNA Has No Color. Many events are free. Check out the full programme at www.firenzesuonacontemporanea.it
Various locations
PERFUME/ La Città delle Fragranze
September 13-15
La Città delle Fragranze
An olfactory odyssey winds its way through museums, gardens, boutiques and stores for three days of events dedicated to the culture of perfume. This international fair features the best in artistic perfumery with high-quality craft fragrances, body-care and wellness products and a packed calendar of events combining art, literature and botany. Extra opening hours will be available at Museo Villoresi as well as a special gift for visitors throughout the duration of Pitti Fragranze. Certain guided tours can be requested in English and there is also a selection of family-friendly events. See www.lacittadellefragranze.com for details.
Various locations
EXHIBITION/ The Botany of Leonardo
September 13 – December 15
ph. @abocait
Have you been hunting the large installations planted throughout the city? These teasers for the botany of Leonardo exhibition have certainly sparked a lot of interest and it’s finally time to see the main exhibit itself. Opening on September 13 at the Santa Maria Novella museum, the relationship between science, art and nature is examined through Leonardo da Vinci’s botanical studies. The exhibition is curated by leading Florentine plant neurobiologist Stefano Mancuso; Fritjof Capra, the physicist, systems theorist and deep ecologist; and Valentino Mercati, founder and chairman of Aboca pharmaceutical company based in Sansepolcro, Tuscany. Find out more about the much awaited final major event in Florence to mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci at www.leonardodavincibotany.com
Santa Maria Novella Museum
piazza di Santa Maria Novella, 18, Florence
CREATIVITY/ Il Conventino Caffè Letterario
September 12
ph. @ilconventinocaffeletterario
The inauguration of Florence’s newest literary hangout spot features a day-long line-up of intriguing events. Just 10 minutes from piazza Santo Spirito, the former convent of Carmelite nuns is now dedicated to artisanal life. The celebrations commence with a tasty breakfast at 9.30am followed by the cutting of the ribbon by mayor Dario Nardella. Lunch and DJ Miss Kat follow at 12.30. Make sure to catch the aperitivo at 6pm with DJ Futura. In between, check out the craft workshops and artist’s ateliers in the historic Conventino complex, while Indian pianist Gichu Joy adds a touch of musicality to the proceedings. More info at www.ilconventinofirenze.it
Open from 9.30am to 9pm.
Il Conventino Caffè Letterario, via Giano della Bella, 20, Florence
CRAFTS/ Festival del Buon Sollazzo
September 14-15
Festival of traditional wooden toys
A first for Florence, this festival celebrates the wonderful wooden creations entertaining children for generations. Perfect for the whole family, this is a celebration of creativity, crafts and imaginative play. 140 unique and original games will be available for your amusement and perusal. Challenges and competitions will add to the fun as well as thousands of LEGO bricks for all enthusiasts in the ToscanaBricks reserved area. Tickets cost 5 euro, or 3 euro for children from 6 – 12 years old (free for under 3’s). Opening hours from 10-8pm on Saturday and 10-7pm on Sunday. Details at www.ingegneriadelsollazzo.it.
Tuscany Hall
via Fabrizio di André angolo
Lungarno Aldo Moro
