The city’s summer programme sees four months of fabulous activities, taking us through from June 1 to September 30. With 15 festivals, 137 projects, 118 widespread events, 3 special projects and 14 summer spaces, there’s no shortage of fun in Florence over these hot months. Enrico Greppi (Erriquez) is honoured in this year’s edition, with lyrics by his musical group Bandabardò the inspiration for the title; “Tre Passi Avanti” (Three Steps Forward).
Literary love
Six great Italian writers and intellectuals of the 20th century receive recognition: Luigi Meneghello, Beppe Fenoglio, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Raffaele La Capraia, Giorgio Manganelli, and Luciano Bianciardi, with many bookish happenings fostering a love of literature. From July 1 to 10, bookstalls appear in many of the city’s piazzas for Le piazze dei libri, a new addition this year. Have a root through the tomes placed in piazza della Repubblica, piazza Strozzi, piazza Santa Maria Novella, and via de Cerretani/piazza Duomo, with bookstores getting involved through presentations, debates, readings and literary meetings, reaching 50 free admission events over the course of the festival. Special events for little literary lovers take place during the mornings of July 9 and 10, transforming the city into an open-air literary salon for all ages.
Blast from the past: Eighties throwback
The 1980s make a glorious comeback with events from July 23 to September 21 celebrating the creativity of the decade through concerts, exhibitions, talks, cinema and literature. The free event series looks at the language, sounds, images, places and dress of the roaring 80s, with performers like Pankow, Soul Hunter, Cricket’s Lullaby and Piero Pelù taking us back. The Marino Marini Museum is the setting for a display dedicated to photographer Dino Ignani, noted sites from the decade will be visited in a cycling itinerary led by Daniela Morozzi, documentaries will be screened at Cinema La Compagnia, and there’s much more to be found at www.confservizitoscana.it.
Fab festivals
Among the 15 festivals held throughout the summer is the third edition of Firenze dall’alto, consisting of concerts, talks, performances and guided tours at incredible sites in Florence, taking you to truly remarkable vantage points to be immersed in culture and spectacular views. Taking place from June 30 to September 22, 10 sunset events from 10 different points of view translate into 10 transformative experiences. MusArt fills Santissima Annunziata from July 13-26 with big names like Roberto Bolle, LP, Goran Bregovic and Rock The Opera in the majestic setting a short distance from the Duomo. There’s plenty more music with Italian Brass Week from July 24-30, Sagrati in Musica until August, and Florence Folks Festival from July 21-23, while cinema fanatics will lap up Apriti Cinema, a chance to see film screenings in piazzale degli Uffizi, until August 7.
Seasonal spots
Evening time is when everyone comes out to play, having sheltered for most of the sweltering daytime. If you’re seeking somewhere chill to hang out with fresh drinks and atmosphere, check out the summer spots set up in Giardino dell’Orticoltura, Anconella Park, Lungarno del Tempio, Ponte San Niccolò, the Rose Garden, Cascine’s Amphitheatre, piazza San Marco, Fortezza da Basso, Le Murate, Niccolò Galli garden, piazza Tasso, piazza dei Tre Re, and Parterre, for a cool way to spend summer serate, no matter where you are in the city.
See the full programme: Estate Fiorentina 2022 Tre Passi Avanti
