If there’s one positive thing to come out of the Coronavirus lockdown, it’s the outpouring of creativity and sense of community that it’s generating. The number of online seminars, exercise routines and social events is mind-boggling. For English speakers in Italy, however, there are fewer options. That’s why we at The Florentine are launching TF Together, our daily online moment to meet up and share activities and interests.
Dan Brown said it best when he explained that he liked The Florentine because it is “about the people, for the people, by the people.” That’s the spirit we want to extend right now with TF Together. Our community is a mosaic of skills, and this is the time to share for the enrichment of all.
But TF Together is not just webinars or learning, it’s time… together. It’s the monthly TF drop-in breakfast now held online. It’s the TF Wine Club, but the cheers are virtual. It’s the revival of TF Sessions, the Facebook Lives we held in the office with local musicians.
But it’s also a series of events and opportunities offered by the members of our creative community. The platform is in place and the program is extensive thanks to the participation of everyone who makes life in Florence and Italy exciting. We’re going to keep you limber, sane, cooking, reading, and so much more. We’re going to get through this… together.
Weekdays at 5pm CET—unless another time is noted—we’re going to "do something together". We have chosen to meet on Go To Meeting. The kind folks at LogMeIn are our technical sponsors.
In the schedule below, you’ll find a description of the event, followed by a link to join it. Mark it in your agenda as you won't receive a notification or reminder (though we do publish the schedule in every newsletter).
Simply click the "link to join" at the specified event time. When you follow the link, you'll be prompted to download a little program on your computer, or an app on your phone. We do recommend using the desktop version as you can more easily participate in the written chat.
Click here for instructions on how to join a meeting / Click here to download the Go To Meeting App.
N.B. The schedule will be added to every Friday, so bookmark this page! Also sign up to our newsletter to receive future communications.
All events are free, though if you’d like to contribute something to help us ensure our programming at this time, donations are welcome by clicking through to our support page.
Legal advice during the Covid-19 pandemic in Italy
International lawyer Michele Capecchi answers your questions regarding the ever-changing legislation pertaining to the Italy lockdown. Please send your queries in advance to [email protected] and [email protected]
Link to join: click here to join with go to meeting or enter Access Code: 158-917-517
Filippo Bartolotta
Drinking Together - White Wines part II
The popular “drinking together” format is back again this week with your host, wine educator Filippo Bartolotta, with contributions from wineries TBA. Continuing from last week's survey of the main white grape varietals, in which we spoke about Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Grigio, we're going to look at how white wines are made, how can they age, and where the main grapes are typically from. We'll also touch on pairing with white wine. If you're joining us with a bottle to share, we suggest any white and would love you to present it so we can talk about its characteristics.
Link to join: click here to join with go to meeting or enter Access Code: 670-227-965
Georgette Jupe
Q&A with Travel Blogger Georgette Jupe - Girl in Florence
Beloved blogger Georgette Jupe, aka Girl in Florence, is guiding us through these uncertain times with upbeat content and useful information. This Q&A session aims to answer your queries and share concerns about life in Florence during lockdown. You can ask questions on screen or email them in advance to [email protected] .
Link to join: Click here to join with go to meeting or enter Access Code: 150-867-829
Storytellers online
Save the date // After the huge success of the first ever online version of Storytellers Florence and Storytellers Rome hosted by Linda and Steve of The Beehive Rome, we've listened to your requests and will be doing a repeat. Topic TBA.
Did you miss one? Some - not all - of our events are recorded on video, others are turned into helpful articles. Here's our post-event replay section:
March 18 / Sommelier to the stars Filippo Bartolotta (see this article by him about wine and personality) of Le Baccanti Tours talks about drinking wine during coronavirus lockdown and leads a wine tasting in his inimitable style. Click to see see the video replay
March 19 / TF's music editor Michelle Davis speaks with Oxford-born singer-songwriter LMNL aka Simon Batten (here's her 2015 interview with him), who's on the verge of releasing his new album. He'll perform one song for us - an exclusive preview! - as well as a few items from his repertoire. Click to see the video replay
March 20 / TF's deputy editor Jane Farrell spoke with Paolo Molino, a Florentine psychotherapist and psychologist, about the emotions experienced in quarantine and how we can process them. Read the article produced from this chat: 5 tips for good mental health during coronavirus lockdown.
March 23 / Steve Brenner, co-owner of The Beehive Rome, home-chef extraordinaire and leader of cooking classes and culinary getaways, lead us in a simple act of cooking together and we made quiche from leftovers - a cheap and easy recipe. Click to see the video & read the quiche recipe
March 24/ We held our usual TF Breakfast Drop-in (online) at 10am as the TF team greeted locked down readers in Milan, Florence and throughout Tuscany for a casual chat about current news.
March 25 / A BYOB participatory "drinking together" event in which we asked everyone to open a bottle of Sangiovese-led wine and talk about it. Helen Farrell moderated a discussion with an all-star panel of winemakers and sommeliers. Watch the video.
March 28 / Storytellers (Rome and Florence) online edition was held, and as per our tradition, no online record can be left of this oral storytelling event. Over 70 people were in attendance and it was a huge success that we will repeat.
March 31/ Memoir and diary writing workshop with Kamin Mohammadi. Watch the video.
April 1 / Wine Together with Filiippo Bartolotta - Italian whites part I: from Tuscany to Alto Adige. Watch the video.
April 3 / Hairdressing at home with Fabio Colucci. Article forthcoming
If you have a skill you wish to share as a TF Together session, or an idea for us, please contact [email protected] . Please note that it may not be possible to activate all the wonderful proposals we receive, but we absolutely look forward to your input.
Reach a highly engaged public and promote your activity with our sponsorship packages. If interested, please each out to Giacomo: [email protected]
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