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Here’s our round-up for November, 2022.
Brightly coloured bricks get their moment with the fifth edition of the fest for LEGO lovers packing the theatre with clever creations. As the LEGO group celebrates 90 years, ToscanaBricks reaches its 10th anniversary and five years of LEGO in Florence is marked, there’s a suitably exciting edition to honour the occasion. Young builders get a dedicated space exhibiting their works, with activities such as Speed Building competitions and a Minecraft workshop giving you a chance to showcase your skills. The Fairy Bricks initiative donates LEGO to children in Tuscan hospitals.
Sustainability and the future are at the centre of the fifth edition of the fest, with the devastating pandemic and the planetary emergency addressed through talks, cultural events and artworks. Separated into five thematic areas, topics like technology with purpose and re-enchanting the world are innovatively imagined.
Satisfy your cultural cravings with the 23rd edition of the fest dedicated to Japan. With dance, martial arts, music, demonstrations and workshops, it’s a chance to immerse yourself in all things Japanese, getting a glimpse of ancient tea ceremonies, kimonos, the art of swords, typical flavours, comic sketches and calligraphy, with elaborate costumes and carefully choreographed performances by the Modern Kabuki Manjushaka dance company. 3 euro admission, free for under 10s + Lailac members.
Generation Z are at the heart of events at the prestigious theatre, with key issues for young people up for discussion and a calendar of events that highlights their potential and creativity. Over 60 speakers including content creators, video makers, directors, YouTubers, chefs, entrepreneurs and sports champions share their thoughts, and a tree planting project throughout will bring about a forest dedicated to the Next Generation Fest. Free entry upon reservation.
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the art project by the Nittardi winery in Chianti Classico, an exhibition displays the artworks created for their bottles by internationally renowned artists. Over 80 labels by contemporary artists make up the show, with well-known names such as Dario Fo, Yoko Ono, Mimmo Paladino and Hundertwasser among the artists involved. Free entry.
Works by Donizetti, Puccini and Massenet are directed by Noa Naamat on November 17 at the stunning setting of Palazzo Corsini in via il Prato, with talented performers from the Mascarade Opera Studio. November 10, on the other hand, will see pianist, Giuseppe Guarrera.
Launching from November 5, smooth tunes take us through to December 10 at the Circolo Ricreativo Vie Nuove. The 28th edition sees live concerts on Saturdays, with original groups known for their originality, talent and risk-taking, having made their names on the Italian and international music scene.
The Textile Arts Market fills the piazza with skillfully crafted creations by top-tier artisans from all over Italy, bringing centuries of tradition and innovation. Ethical, sustainable and environmentally-friendly textiles create a dazzling display with weaving demonstrations, free workshops for children and adults, and a focus on local wools and yarns, hand-weaving, spinning, natural dyes, felt and eco-prints. Stock up on organic farming products and seasonal fruit and veg while you’re there, with wine, olive oil and cheese adding to the fair. Free entry, 9am-7pm.
San Miniato fills with the appetite-inducing scent of truffles over the last three weekends of November for the fair that sees gourmets and the curious getting to know the famous underground delicacy through the events programme and food stands that fill the picturesque town.
The Palazzo Blu Foundation displays prints and films from the Pisan photographic archives that reveal life at the time of mass mobilizations organized by the Fascist Party from the 1920s to the mid-1940s. From the customs and urban restructuring of the city to the destructions caused by bombings in 1943, the display covers a 20-year period in Pisa that was mirrored across the whole country. The exhibition takes place on the centenary anniversary of the March on Rome (1922-2022), providing an opportunity to reflect on events during Fascist Italy.
Palazzo Corsini hosts the fashionable affair that raises funds for Fondazione Italiana di Leniterapia from November 11-13, with the monies raised going towards assisting the seriously ill and their families.
27 November 2022
The 38th edition of the historic race sees runners take to the streets of the city on November 27. Starting from piazza del Duomo, participants move through many of Florence’s main landmarks.
The traditional festive market returns to piazza Santa Croce from November 19 to December 18, with over 50 stands housing artisanal crafts and international foods. Stroll among the German-style wooden huts and get into the holiday mood with cheerful tunes and entertainment, as well as a must-have serving of mulled wine.
Dedicated to promoting the culture of sustainability, the Tepidarium del Roster in Giardino Orticoltura sees a series of installations, exhibitions, artisanal markets, talks, workshops and children’s activities focused on protecting the planet, taking place from November 19-20.
Until November 20
L’Homme Armé host musical extravaganzas in historical settings until November 20, with equally historical music to match. Among the places seeing sacred repertoires are the concerts taking place in the San Salvi Museum on November 5 and 20, with the programme featuring conversations around the genre combined with the concert.
The contemporary film fest takes place in Cinema La Compagnia and elsewhere from November 16 to 20, with online screenings via Più Compagnia until November 27. Along with a focus on Italian visual artist Rosa Barba and the VISIO European Programme of Artists’ Moving Images, the programme features new productions by Giorgio Andreotta Calò and Éric Baudelaire as well as documentaries on Jesse Krimes, Jean-Michel Basquiat and the historic meeting between Marina Abramović and Ulay.
Cinema Stensen, Cinema La Compagnia, Spazio Alfieri, 25hours Hotel and various other venues host the 63rd edition of the international documentary film fest that focuses on the environment, archival films and cinema of the new generations, with awards for the best in the genre. From November 5 to 13, film fans will find sections dedicated to kids and teens, with an homage to innovators such as Lucien Castaing-Taylor and Verena Paravel, as well as reflections on the G8 in Genoa, Margherita Hack, and Kathryn Ferguson’s overview of Sinead O’Connor’s career. Screenings are in original language with Italian and English subtitles, unless specified otherwise.
Dive into the maritime selection of the sixth edition at Cinema Stensen on November 16, with the deep blue underwater world brought to the big screen. Selected from finalists at Ocean Film Australia, the programme explores the beauty below, with adventure, sustainability and wildlife at the centre.
From November 23-27, a film screening series focuses on women, with a particular look at gender-based violence and racial discrimination across the programme that takes place at the Deutsches Institut, Institut Français, and Cinema La Compagnia.
The Florentine celebrates Thanksgiving with Ruffino Wines from 7.30pm on November 24, with Ruffino’s Poggio Casciano wine estate just 30 minutes from Florence the location for festivities. Book your place at the Thanksgiving table for 40 euro per person (plus, choose the bottle of your choice from Ruffino’s extensive wine list!), and dine on traditional stuffed turkey and American classics with a Tuscan twist, with live music adding to the atmosphere. Email hospitality@ruffino.it or call +39 378 3050220.
Female Arts in Florence
Yoga Bloom with Valentina Pioer and Ilaria Castellino takes place through November and December, with a workshop led by Andrea Rizzi from November 4 to 5 dedicated to developing your ideas and following them through. This month’s line-up features workshops on watercolours and natural dyeing with seasonal flowers, varied with Yin&Yang yoga, a performance with piano, violin and narration, and an exhibition titled Mostra Gio’ Pomodoro, Morandi, Fornasetti – artisti del ‘900 on show from November 18.
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A beginner’s yoga course is held on Monday mornings, with hypopressive gymnastics, voguing, music for children, dance, theatre and Tai Chi among the workshops on offer at the former church on via dei Macci.
Two bookish evenings are planned at St Mark’s this month, with culture expert Linda Falcone speaking at 7pm on November 3 and crime writer Tom Benjamin at 7pm on November 17. 15 euro donation requested, with refreshments included.
The British Institute of Florence
The Wednesday Lecture Series in the Harold Acton Library (lungarno Guicciardini 9) sees Alexandra Lawrence speak on ‘Sala della Niobe’ on November 9, with Duncan Geddes lecturing on ‘Martyrs & Miracles’ on November 16. Alan Pascuzzi gives insight on ‘How many animals did it take to make an egg tempera painting in the Renaissance?’ on November 23, with a lecture on wine and oil tasting with the Colognole Estate on November 30. The Music al British series sees the Mascarade Opera singers perform songs by Vaughan Williams and Benjamin Britten on November 24.
Life drawing takes place weekly at lungarno Guicciardini 15 from November 7, led by Tom J. Byrne, with brainstorming for writers led by local author and translator Lori Hetherington on November 15.
A workshop on November 19 for kids aged 4 years and above teaches the Italian alphabet, with paper puppets furthering the fun (Cost 15 euro). Workshops with Mīlĕs are held November 10-12 and 12-13, with the book club meeting on November 14 discussing Tutta Intera by Espérance Hakuzwimana.
Secrets & Scandals of the Archive: Renaissance Imposters
Taking place at Palazzo San Niccolò from 6.30pm on November 10, Dr. Lynn Catterson leads audiences to discover how and why Albert E. Harnisch went from Philadelphia to a successful career in Rome to anonymity in Bardini’s San Niccolò factory, producing brilliant renaissance imposters for the international art market. The talk is particularly relevant in light of a recently identified painting by him in a Florentine collection. 10 euro with glass of wine.
A date for your diaries: Swan Lake comes to Teatro della Pergola on December 23, bringing the classic ballet to the stage in time for the festive season. Purchase tickets via www.ticketone.it.