Bunches of brightly coloured mimosa flowers will no doubt be passed around, but there is also an array of cultural and social events dedicated to discussing women and the road still to be travelled. Here’s our lineup on how to mark International Women’s Day on March 8.
Free entry to museums
Take advantage of free entry for women to the city’s civic museums on March 8, including access to Palazzo Medici Riccardi. Walk in the footsteps of Eleonora di Toledo at Palazzo Vecchio at 11.30am and 3pm with a themed visit bringing you to a deeper understanding of the Duchess. A guided tour among the female presences of the former convent at the MAD Murate Art District gives voice to the nuns and noblewomen who once lived there. A concert by musicians from the La Filharmonie orchestra in the MAD space also marks the occasion, featuring mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bagatin accompanied by guitarist Antonino Ielo.
There’s also free entry for women to state museums, including the Uffizi Galleries, Palazzo Pitti, the Boboli Gardens, the Bargello National Museum, the Medici Chapels Museum, Palazzo Davanzati and the Orsanmichele complex. The National Archaeological Museum hosts a visit at 10am titled ‘The Etruscan woman, free and enterprising, against the slanders of Greek authors’. At 11.30am, there’ll be a guided tour of the garden under the theme of ‘From the citrus fruits of Maria Maddalena de’ Medici to the Etruscan tombs: history of the MAF garden’. Reservations required by emailing claudia.noferi@cultura.gov.it.
The San Marco museum celebrates with two free guided tours at 10am and 11.30am of the entire collection of paintings by Beato Angelico.
In the Medici Villa of Poggio a Caiano, there’ll be a performance of ‘Femmina schultora – Racconto vasariano’ at 5.45pm by the Art-U Association, which will be repeated in Villa La Petraia on March 15.
The Innocenti Museum also offers free entry for women.
Libraries
Local libraries host a series of talks on topics relevant to women’s lives, also offering the ‘Si scrive marzo si legge donna‘ initiative that promotes books by and about women.
Messaggere
Inaugurated on the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 8 and on show at the Museo Novecento until June 8, works by Chiara Baima Poma, Fatima Bianchi, Lucia Cantò, Parul B. Thacker and Tuli Mekondjo deeply investigate the relationship between art and spirituality across their diverse means of expression.
On the side of women
The Artemisia Association joins forces with the municipality and the 4390 and 4242 taxi cooperations to create the #tudachepartestai (whose side are you on) campaign that will see stickers added to many Florentine taxis, along with the contact for the Artemisia Association (055 601375), who assist victims of violence.
Hard Rock Cafe and Shakira for International Women’s Month
Shakira joins forces with Hard Rock Cafe for international women’s month, consisting of a special menu with the pop star’s favourite dishes, as well as a Hips Don’t Lie cocktail (based on silver tequila with elderflower liquer, strawberries and cucumber) and a collection of FEARLESS clothing inspired by the Colombian artist. 250,000 dollars were donated to educating young girls in Colombia via the Pies Descalzos Foundation. The partnership seeks to promote female empowerment through the unifying power of music with dedicated concerts across the month, including an 80s cover band on March 8 and a tribute to Lady Gaga on March 14.
All You Can Beat
The 25hours Hotel piazza San Paolino organize an unlimited food, unlimited music event with an all-you-can-eat dinner buffet in the company of Dario Cecchini, and a DJ set by Nika Del Monte. Costing 50 euro, with special prices for extra drinks. Tickets via Eventbrite or directly on site at the event.
Free entry for the DJ set. No ticket, no limits after 10.30pm — just come, grab your drinks, and dance till late!
Fragrance to Taste
Ditta Artigianale curate a unique event to mark the day, with an exclusive event that combines the olfactory journey of Bois 1920 with the delights of Ditta Artigianale. Each tasting recalls, enhances and contrasts the aromas present in the three fragrances selected for the event. Taking place from 4-6pm at the café in piazza Ferrucci 1r, 10 euro includes coffee, pastries, and the experience.
For more information on events to mark Marzo Donna, see the Comune’s dedicated article.
