Make the most of May with a bustling lineup of events.
Share your events with The Florentine: events@theflorentine.net
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Here’s our round-up for May 2024.
Make the most of May with a bustling lineup of events.
Share your events with The Florentine: events@theflorentine.net
Works by the indigenous Australian artist Maree Clarke come to the two venues as part of the centenary celebrations for the University of Florence. The site-specific installations converse with European colonial history, exploring topics such as memory, identity and sustainability.
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Costumes reconstruct the clothes of the Medici, with relics such as the papal bull that announced Cosimo’s grand ducal title dating to 1569, and photographs by Massimo Sestini that testify to the importance of the Grand Duke in the numerous fortifications around Tuscany. Free entry upon reservation T: 055 4385616.
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Walter Sarfatti, an Anglo-Italian “citizen of the world”, with Jewish roots and a strong connection with Japanese culture, has chosen the Tuscan countryside to live in and work. Etching, aquatint and sugarlift are the principal media he uses for his work. He is often inspired by the search for harmony and balance guided by a reinterpretation of familiar elements which can be perceived in a decomposed leaf, a rusty nail, a shaft of light.
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Street artist Kraita317 is the subject of a dedicated display. The self-taught artist is well-known in the Florentine urban artistic movement, and is an active member of the Romanian ANS crew, having left his hometown of Brașov in 2018 to move to Florence.
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The exhibition dedicated to the noted contemporary artist traces back to 1995, with the wide selection of works encompassing pieces made using toy bricks, porcelain, wood, marble and bamboo. Ph. Andrea Paoletti
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The Lorenzo de’ Medici Gallery, in collaboration with renowned street photographer Massimiliano Faralli, unveils an exhibition in which students of the institute had the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the artistry alongside Faralli, gaining a fresh perspective of Florence through the art of street photography. The students roamed the streets of Florence under Faralli’s mentorship, witnessing the artist’s craft firsthand. The exhibition features a collection of Massimiliano Faralli’s works, including highlights from his series dedicated to Milan Fashion Week. This is accompanied by featured works executed by the participating students, offering a diverse experience of street photography.
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The Festivalino (“little festival”) kicks off with a gala evening on May 30 at Florence’s Palazzo Corsini al Prato, the headquarters of the Fondazione Mascarade opera training and performance programme, including a young all-stars alumni concert in one of the garden’s magnificent Limonaie and a majestic opening dinner set at a tavolo imperiale running down the palazzo’s famous avenue of statues. The subsequent events will be held in some of Florence’s most beautiful locations, featuring opera, ballet, and lots of art. Tickets from 15 euro (10 euro for under 35s).
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The 86th edition of the classical music fest returns to the homonymous theatre, showcasing internationally renowned names in the series of operas and concerts. This edition features Turandot and Tosca by the Lucca-born maestro, Giacomo Puccini, on the centenary of his death.
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Contemporary crafts come to the rooftop bar, giving you the chance to encounter artisan brands while enjoying a delicious international brunch from midday to 3pm by chef Mor Michaeli (reservations@angelroofbar.com) mixed with music and art along with the market organized by the Heyart Association. The second edition at the venue designed by architect and interior designer Alex Meitlis curates a varied display, with jewellery, accessories, graphic design and home decor created by Tuscany-based artisans and designers such as Italian-Mexican designer Tatiana Mannelli who creates rugs and unique objects with the Tufting technique, using only left-over materials from factories and local companies. The artist will even weave one of her creations live.
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Three days of live shows, panels, satire and book presentations are spread across Livorno, all to tickle your funny bone. Guests include Massimiliano Loizzi, Francesca Schianchi, Paolo Jannacci and Brenda Lodigiani.
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The biannual vintage clothing and accessories market raises funds for Leniterapia, a charity working to assist those with serious illnesses and their families. The last edition raised 70,000 euros, with this ninth iteration bound to feature the usual treasure trove of high-quality clothing, accessories and items for the home. 11am to 6pm, free entry.
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A formal candlelit dinner with popular jazz and swing quartet Daisy’s Firenze will be held at the stunning venue in aid of the American International League of Florence ONLUS. Since 1975, AILO has given Florentine charities more than 800,000 euro towards over 600 projects, with the fundraising event enabling them to continue to do so. Costing 200 euro per person, with a formal/chic dress code. 7.30pm-midnight. RSVP ‘Pucci Event’ to WhatsApp +39 331 589 1835.
The Restoration Conversations online series continues at 6pm on May 16, with Linda Falcone in conversation with National Central Library conservator Alessandro Sidoti and Natacha Fabbri, co-curator of ‘Women of the Skies, from Muses to Scientists’, on location at the exhibition. Broadcast on YouTube @calliopeartsrestoration.
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Jérôme Bel performs an “auto-bio-choreographic” piece on May 3 and 4, recounting their life through dance. The final performance in the series is on May 10, with Katie Duck, Alessandro Certini, Charlotte Zerbe and Virgilio Sieni performing ‘Tyranny of the present’, a game-like dance in which the visitor’s observance forms part of the performance. Full price 10 euro, with reductions available.
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The concept by Pierfrancesco Nannoni performed by dancers Valentina Sechi and Luca Tomao with live music brings viewers to discover the “symphony of the Cosmos”, as experimental music and original songs explore themes of ancient civilizations and the celestial sphere.
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Kids and their grown-ups find plenty of fun in nearby Lucca, where play areas, creative workshops, shows, fairy tales and much more entertain all ages. Highlights include Il Piccolo Principe and Cristina D’avena’s Lo chiamerò Pinocchio.
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A new programme of walks is proposed as part of the Firenze Forma Continua project, with the aim of spreading knowledge of the city’s history. The various itineraries lead participants through the lesser-known sites of the UNESCO awarded historic centre, as well as exploring the architecture, history and landscapes of the surroundings, taking in the gates, towers and fortresses that have stood strong for centuries. A number of events will be held in English. The free events are aimed at young people and adults, and last two hours.
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To mark the occasion of 450 years since the deaths of both Cosimo I dei Medici and Giorgio Vasari, a series of guided tours and theatrical readings will be held at Palazzo Vecchio to detail the lives of the noted nobleman and the excellent architect and painter, respectively.
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Ten exhibitions from May until February 2025 explore the texts, prints and manuscripts that trace the history of the master architect and painter, including the various editions of his most famous literary work, Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects.
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Take part in a unique itinerary through the heart of Chianti Classico, discovering the scents and flavours of the wine cellars of Panzano. 22 wineries open to the public, giving the chance to taste a vast selection of wines, from Chianti Classico to Gran Selezione.
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On May 22 Cib’aria will immerse participants in a sensorial Ottolenghi journey with sparkling recipes, good wines, a sophisticated music selection, poetry readings, and a little game to understand what drives people so crazy and so curious about Ottolenghi world. For those who want to learn and replicate the recipes home, there will be a cooking class at 6.30pm, for everyone else dinner starts at 8.30pm, surrounded by contemporary art and beauty.
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La Fierucola brings the best of biodiversity with crafts and homemade products by small-scale producers filling up stalls in popular piazzas. The Fierucolina is held in piazza del Carmine from 9am to 2pm on May 12, and in piazza Santo Spirito from 9am to 7pm on May 19.
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Soccer fans will be keeping a keen eye on the action at Florence’s stadiums, with this month seeing Fiorentina vs Cagliari (Campionata Primavera) at Viola Park on May 4 with the women’s Serie A Fiorentina vs Juventus match on May 6. Fiorentina take on Monza (Serie A) at Stadio Artemio Franchi on May 12, with Fiorentina playing Sampdoria at Viola Park on May 18 as part of the Campionata Primavera. Fiorentina then play Napoli (Serie A) at the Stadio on May 19. We advise you to check the times online, as they are subject to change.
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Concert of classical music by the string orchestra Accademia Degli Assetati followed by the opening of an Art & Photography Show in the Limonaia of Villa La Pietra, by artists and NYU lecturers Alessandra Capodacqua, Jacopo Santini, and Andrew Smaldone. 6pm, reserve by emailing lapietra.reply@nyu.edu or T: 055 5007 210.
Find out moreCreative People in Florence (via dei Serragli 58r), offer hands-on workshops led by local artists and designers, including clay statuettes with potter Kirstie Mathieson, punch needle embroidery with artist Anna Rose, and floral jewellery with jewellery designer Sara Amrhein. For little artists, Kirstie Mathieson and Leticia Berriel of Colorarte will both offer creative art and play sessions throughout the month. Danielle Jennings of Revive Pilates holds a series of classes from May 23, while fashion enthusiasts can check out local brands New Kid and Eva Di France Timeless Clothing at a four-day pop-up from May 16-19.
The Social Hub (viale Spartaco Lavagnini 70-72) host a festive line-up in the courtyard titled Ciao Estate. The free entry programme includes poetry readings, book presentations, stand-up comedy and DJ sets.
The British Institute of Florence (lungarno Guicciardini 9) have a ‘Meet the Author’ session on May 6, with Moira McFarlane, the second last British Consul in Florence and author of the international murder mystery, The Istanbul Ring, published under the nom de plume J.T. Fernie. A second author event is with Mark Roberts of Florence has won my heart, on May 13. The last sessions of the Divine Dante series by Alexandra Lawrence will be weekly on Tuesdays until May 14. The Music al British series sees a piano recital by Andrea Molteni on May 7, pianist Jayson Gillham on May 16, and cellist Roger Low with pianist Scott Faigen on May 23. The final performance this month will be by pianist Sasha Grynyuk on May 31. The popular Wednesday Lectures Series continues with Ross King on ‘Brunelleschi’s Dome’ on May 8, John Henderson speaks about the ‘Plague in Florence’ on May 15, Jan Noble discusses ‘Byron 200’ on May 22, and Alan Pascuzzi gives a lecture titled ‘How they were seen part III: sculptures and paintings’ on May 28. Bridge for beginners and intermediates is held every Tuesday, and afternoon tea is from 4-5pm on Wednesdays.
Sotto al British (lungarno Guicciardini 15) holds life drawing led by Tom J. Byrne from 7 to 9pm on Mondays. Additional sessions are held this month on May 2+16. ‘Brainstorming for Writers’ with local author and translator Lori Hetherington is at 7pm on May 21. www.britishinstitute.it
Alice Libreria (The Social Hub, viale Spartaco Lavagnini 70) have a poetry reading with poet Davide Rondoni accompanied by a violin at 6.45pm on May 8. Sip and Paint is from 9-11pm on May 9+23, costing 20 euro, including canvas, brushes, colours, and the first glass of wine. The Deliranza Festival is on May 11-12, in which there’s free entry to fanzine workshops, DJ sets by Bioritmo and Michelle Davis, live painting, talks and presentations. From 6.45-10.45pm on May 16, the Cotton Club sees a talk by Kaaj Tshikalandand and a DJ set by Funkamari. Completing the month’s programming is a Stand-Up Comedy Show at 9pm on May 23, with Massimo Galligani and Daniele Racco, before the mic is opened up to the floor.
Democrats Abroad hold a party in the garden at 7pm on May 16 at the Beppe Fioraia Osteria in via dell’Erta Canina 6/R. Live music will be by Patti DeRosa, with a Tuscan aperitivo, dinner and wines. A 75-euro donation per person is requested, benefitting Democrats Abroad which assists any US citizen to vote. RSVP by April 30.
St Mark’s English Church host three British authors at 7pm on May 9, discussing their novels set in Italy, with guests Gregory Dowling, Tom Benjamin and Philip Gwynne Jones. Free entry with refreshments. A free entry concert is at 5pm on May 8, with 66 children aged 9-12 from the St Michael’s Prep School Choir from Kent. A second free entry choral concert takes place on May 10 at 9pm, with the Coro Free Music Ensemble.
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