On November 25, Florence joins cities around the world in marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, with events dedicated to raising awareness on gender-based violence. With the opportunity to reflect on a year-round issue, the events running throughout Florence aim to empower women and condemn all forms of gendered abuse.
Red Carpet
Red Carpet is a visual concert about the historical repression of femininity, causing a collective trauma. Body and voice, historical forms of censorship, are the protagonists. Organized by Versiliadanza, the show is having its Italian premiere at Teatro Florida on November 23.
Women (every)day
From November 24 to November 30 the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Foundation is organizing an exhibition on gender-related issues at the International House of Human Rights in via Ghibellina. Five emerging female artists will be presenting works (Sofia Ancelotti, Benedetta Danti, Graziella Ingorgia, Chiara Nencioni, and Alice Risalti) about what it means to be a woman in contemporary society.
Casa delle donne – Zero T
Zero T means zero tolerance, which is why Casa delle Donne is putting together a series of seminars, book presentations, performances and more. The program starts on November 22 with the opening of Pilar Roca’s exhibition and ends on December 18 with a swap-party.
Filo Rosso
The festival organised by Quartiere 4 (the area around Isolotto) renews its mission to raise awareness on gender-based violence and feminicide with a series of events over November, including a ‘solidarity walk‘ on November 16. Each Quartiere will meet at 9am and head towards piazza della Signoria.
Festival dei Diritti
The seventh edition of the “Festival of Rights” organized by the city council is back, with the aim to spread awareness about all kinds of discrimination. A series of exhibitions, workshops movies and debates are taking place through December, including an event in which a public bench at Gasometro park will be painted red.
L’Eredità delle Donne
Future is the theme of the 7th edition of the woman-focused fest, as artistic director Serena Dandini elaborates, “Today, more than ever, women are capable of revolutionary ideas and do not ask to participate in the world as it is, but aspire to be an active part in reforming it”. Held at Manifattura Tabacchi in proximity to the World Day against Gender Violence on November 25, special guests this year include romance writer Felicia Kingsley, musician Paola Maugeri and economist Ginevra Bersani Franceschetti.
Festival di Cinema e Donne
The longest-running festival dedicated to female directors in Italy is taking place November 20-24 at Cinema La Compagnia, featuring one of the most important names contemporary European cinema, Margarethe von Trotta. For this 45th edition, a new space is being created which aims to be a workshop for the rediscovery of the many cultural deposits that have so far been unknown or forgotten.
Arte in Azione
On Saturday November 23 a live painting event is taking place at Spazio Giovani Cure. Young people are invited to participate, creating art on the spot centered around the theme of gender-based violence, utilizing materials provided by the organizers.
Scarpette Rosse in Ceramica
The cities that are part of AiCC, the Italian association for artisanal ceramics, including Impruneta, Montelupo Fiorentino and Sesto Fiorentino, are taking part in the 8th edition of Scarpette rosse in ceramica (little red ceramic shoes) on November 25. The event is centered around a series of installations of red ceramic shoes, with readings, performances and workshops.
È Troppo Presto
È Troppo Presto (it’s too soon) is an event dedicated to Michela Noli, a victim of femicide. Taking place at the Casa del Popolo Quinto Alto in Sesto Fiorentino on November 22, the event will feature a presentation of the book Io Michela by Paola Alberti and a musical performance by Marie Kristine Delfino and Giovanni Fissi.
Public libraries
Florence’s public libraries are offering an array of free events unil November 26, including round-tables, exhibitions and book launches, as well as shelves dedicated to educational resources on the female position in society.
La Toscana delle Donne
La Toscana delle Donne are organising a series of events, most notably a bike ride for women’s rights on November 17 from Cascine Park to piazza del Duomo.
