Here’s our round-up for June, 2023.
Summer’s here and Florence is ready to relish in it. Check out the extensive list of festivals, concerts and exhibitions opening up around the city and get ready to fill up your calendars.
Share your events with The Florentine: events@theflorentine.net
Beyond the Walls of Sant’Orsola is the inaugural exhibition of the future Museo Sant’Orsola as the long-derelict former religious complex reopens temporarily. Believed to be the final resting place of Lisa Gherardini, supposedly Leonardo da Vinci’s model for his Mona Lisa, the 14th-century nunnery welcomes site-specific art by London-born Sophia Kisielewska-Dunbar, the first artist-in-residence at Sant’Orsola, and Alberto Ruce, a Sicilian urban artist living in Marseille. French company Artex is investing over 30 million euro to develop Sant’Orsola and the urban renewal project is completed in 2025.
UK electronic music artist Nathan Fake comes to Manifattura Tabacchi for part of his Crystal Vision tour. The night will continue on with a set by DJ O. Flex as he mixes together a myriad of musical genres. Tickets costs 11.50 euro and the show starts at 10pm.
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Calling all cosplayers! Cascine park hosts the first edition of the Firenze Cosplay Festival. Expect competitions, photo sets, exhibitors, and even an area dedicated to the most famous cars in cinema. Fans of Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones and Harry Potter will be delighted to see all of the fun attractions in store. Entrance is free and everyone is welcome to come dressed in their favorite characters.
This exciting festival combines art, cinema, dance and music. Many of the events are internationally leaning, such as a film series about American composer John Zorn directed by Frenchman Mathieu Amalric (June 5, Cinema La Compagnia); a concert by Dutch cellist Ernst Reijseger (June 6, cloister at the Convent of Carmine); and experimental open-air concerts at Piazzale del Torrino (June 14-15, Villa Strozzi Park) with German composer Heiner Goebbels. The festival ends at Tenax on June 16 with the Still Lives: Florence performance/installation by Singaporean Daniel Kok and Australian Luke George inspired by Giambologna’s Rape of the Sabines.
Visit Hotel Savoy to witness Francesco Maccapani Missoni’s newest contemporary art exhibition Intrecci. The exhibition aims to celebrate the rich history of Italian textile traditions. Missoni’s works will line the walls of the communal areas and four Artist Suites in the hotel. Expect cocktails and live music in the Salotto lounge followed by a “Dinner with the artist” upon reservation.
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Bookworms, make sure to mark this literary festival on your calendar. Guests can expect a packed program of events, presentations and readings from some of the biggest names in contemporary literature. With events dedicated to children’s books, this is the perfect festival for all ages.
The Scuola di Musica di Fiesole comes to Villa San Michele for a jazz concert. The ensemble led by Stefania Scarinzi will illuminate the terrace garden of the villa for a lovely night of music. The cost for this event is 50 euro and subject to availability. To book your spot, send an email to concierge.vsm@belmond.com or call 055-5678200.
Arizona-born artist Rachel Feinstein opens an exhibition of her works in a tripartite show at Museo Stefano Bardini, Palazzo Medici Riccardi and Museo Marino Marini. Ranging from painting to sculpture inspired by classical and Renaissance art as much as from modern cartoons and fairytales, the works contrast with the masterpieces in situ by Donatello, Michelozzo and Marino Marini.
Summer nights are perfect for “clubbing differently”, which is the tagline of Lattexplus. Head to Manifattura Tabacchi B11 for electronic beats from Courtesy, Gabrielle Kwartend and Speaking Minds.
Calligrapher Betty Soldi hosts an “inksperience” at Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel. Guests can enjoy a first-hand experience of the art of calligraphy and create something beautiful. Inspired by the blooming gardens and stunning views of Florence, the workshop will be inspired by the surrounding botanicals. 70 euro per person and subject to availability; held in both English and Italian. To reserve your spot, send an email to concierge.vsm@belmond.com or call 055-5678200.
Enjoy under the stars. Outdoor concerts galore are held in Florence’s churchyards throughout the summer. Anything from jazz to classical, rock and even electronic music can be expected.
On Tuesday, June 13 at 4.30pm Italy time, join organizers Calliope Arts for Restoration Conversations streamed live from the Opificio delle Pietre Dure paper restoration laboratory. During the visit, expect a conversation with paper conservator Simona Calza, as she uncovers the secrets and challenges of restoring works on paper and parchment. During the conversation, participants will have a chance to view restored tempera-on-paper works from Prato’s Museo di Palazzo Pretorio by Maria Luisa Raggi (1742-1813), a little-known nun-painter from a Genoese family of high-standing.
The summer edition of Florence’s trend-setting men’s trade fair might not be open to the public at Fortezza da Basso (Fendi is special guest at Pitti Uomo 104, presenting their Men’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection), but you can play your game as the looks spread onto the city streets.
This multicultural music festival is in collaboration with the Festival au Désert that originated in Mali. The band Tinariwen will perform in the June 15 preview, playing tracks from their latest album Amatssou, inspired by the music and culture of the Tuareg people of Mali.
The Scuola di Musica di Fiesole is welcomed back once more to the gardens of Villa San Michele. This time performing a classical concert featuring the Arcadius string quartet. They will perform Andante with motion from Quartet no. 14 in D minor D. 810 “Ver Tod und das Mädchen” by Schubert and Allegro From Quartet In D Minor Op. 76 no. 2, Haydn’s Hob:III:76 . The concert will be followed by an aperitivo and the cost is 50 euro, subject to availability. To book your spot, send an email to concierge.vsm@belmond.com – T. 055-5678200.
Sant’Ambrogio legend Fabio Picchi is commemorated with four days of wholesome community-orientated events. Picchi was a local legend in Florence after he expanded his culinary businesses over the years. Picchi passed away in 2022, but his memory lives on. The first edition of SALE – Sant’Ambrogio in Festival, focuses on celebrating the identity of the neighbourhood and giving back to the local community.
Spend your Saturday at this high quality makers market in the community garden of Orti Dipinto in Borgo Pinti. A group of crafters will showcase unique handmade projects. Throughout the day, there will be activities for families and children including Make your Own Mini Basket (15 euro) and Reading in your Mother Tongue Language. The market opens at 10am, to reserve for the Mini Basket workshop, please call 3387035801 or email lamazzoni@gmail.com.
The event of the summer is back. Firenze Rocks is one of the biggest music festivals in Italy. Legendary rock band The Who kicks things off followed by Maroon 5 the following day.
Now in its 34th edition, the theme of this year’s festival is Dancing in the Main Cloister in dedication to the venue at Santa Maria Novella. This festival was created to promote the art of dance while revitalizing public spaces and using the city as a performance space. Special attention is paid to emerging choreographers and dancers.
The patron saint of Florence, San Giovanni (Saint John the Baptist) is celebrated with fireworks and festivities all over Florence. The costumed calcio storico (historic football) will be held in piazza Santa Croce and the fochi begin around 10pm: head to the north banks of the Arno to see the firework display.
Head bartender and manager of Camparino in Milan Tommaso Ceca comes to Villa San Michele for a night of speciality drinks. Be amazed by his skill set as he carefully crafts the perfect cocktails fit for a sunset aperitivo. To book your spot, send an email to concierge.vsm@belmond.com or call 055-5678200.
Light up your summer nights with an outdoor cinema in the piazza of the Uffizi Galleries. Night after night, films will be screened in original languages with Italian or English subtitles. Entry is free and subject to availability.
Cinema La Compagnia celebrates 20th-century film in all of its glory. Everything from Hollywood golden age classics to more contemporary icons such as Carrie will be screened. All films will be shown in their original language with Italian subtitles. English highlights include the Ginger Rogers series (think Top Hat and Stage Door: June 7, 9, 11 + 13); and The New Hollywood Part 2 series – think Midnight Cowboy, Bullit and The French Connection (June 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 + 29).
This exhibition dedicated to childhood sees American photographer Steve McCurry’s iconic captures line the halls of the Istituto degli Innocenti. Curated by Sudest57, the show features 100 or so photographs of children from Afghanistan, India, Mexico, Lebanon and many other places, all displaying joy despite the difficulties of their circumstances.
Lisetta Carmi was a renowned female photographer of the 1960s who explored the lives of workers and the transgender community in Genoa. Villa Bardini presents a body of her work, which also includes previously unpublished photos of the Florence flood in 1966.
The British Institute of Florence
June promises a month of music and lectures on lungarno Guicciardini. Kicking off things on June 7, conservator Elizabeth Wicks reveals the ins and outs of restoring Artemisia Gentileschi’s Allegory of Inclination at Casa Buonarroti with an introduction by project coordinator Linda Falcone. On June 9, Busoni Competition winner pianist Chloe Jiyeong Mun will perform the eight Schubert Impromptus. June 14 promises a talk by Margaret Zaho on The Pallotti of Santo Spirito, while June 15 will see author Louisa Young (My Dear, I Wanted to Tell You) in conversation with director Simon Gammell. The following week on June 21, the Wednesday Lecture series welcomes Jason Arkles and his discussion on Ponte Santa Trinita. Closing out the month with music is The Velkro Trio on June 27 with their trio of cello, violin and piano performing Rachmaninoff and Brahms.
The Opera at St. Mark’s program offers delights throughout June, such as The Best of Puccini in 90 Minutes, Italian Opera Love Duets, Carmen, Madama Butterfly and The Marriage of Figaro. Tickets cost 30 euro. On June 21 + 23, American pianist Nicholas Bavani will perform in a series called The Seasons, featuring music by Satie, Tchaikovsky and Chopin. Donations on entry.
Women’s International Network of Florence
WIN holds a Summer Party in the gardens of Chalet Fontana on June 14 at 8pm. Members and guests are welcome for this sit-down dinner with live music from Mary Loscerbo and The Bit Band. Members 40 euro; guests 45 euro. Register by June 7.
Kent State University
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Kent State University Florence program, KSU-Florence is hosting a special speaker series with Hollywood legend Don Reo, creator of Netflix’s The Ranch, Two and a Half Men, Everybody Hates Chris, M*A*S*H and The Golden Girls. During these eight seminars, guests will learn about the craft of storytelling, screenwriting for TV, working with actors, showbusiness, and how to pitch ideas for American TV streaming services. Several guests will be joining Reo for these events, including Mayim Bialik, host of Jeopardy and Big Bang Theory star. Everyone is welcome to attend these free seminars every Monday and Wednesday from May 29 to June 21 (6-7:30 pm) in the main lecture hall at Palazzo Vettori (via Cavour 26). Advanced registration is required and seating is limited, so register now for all events: Miriam Daquino mdaquino@kent.edu
The Season is well underway at NYU Florence in Villa La Pietra. On June 13, Joanna Waley-Cohen, Provost of NYU Shanghai and Julius Silver Professor of Chinese History, talks about the impact of Chinese porcelain on Renaissance Italy and how it made its way into Italian masterpieces of the time. On June 15, composer Roberto Scarcella Perino presents a scene from his new opera, Enrico IV. NYU Florence will mark the Franco Zeffirelli Centennial with a screening of Tea With Mussolini on June 19 and open an exhibition of Hortense Mitchell Acton’s dresses from the 1920s and 1930s. On June 20, the NYU Tisch Continuum Company will put on their adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. Singers from Accademia Verdiana in Parma will offer a Verdi workshop and concert on June 22. On June 23, Larry Wolff discusses his book, The Shadow of the Empress: Fairy-Tale Opera and the End of the Habsburg Monarchy. The Season ends on June 29 and 30 with Ricky Ian Gordon and Michael Korie’s new opera, The Garden of the Finzi Contini.
Cuba-Born artist Enrique Martínez Celaya opens his sculpture exhibition Watching and Waiting at the Museo Marino Marini. Celaya originally comes from a scientific background and has experimented with several other art mediums such as photography, videography, and writing. He resides in Los Angeles and this is his first show in Italy. He will feature his sculptural works from 2005-2023.
National Geographic returns to Pisa’s foremost exhibition space for a major photographic show that revolves around the exploration of Planet Earth. Starting with a set of images that National Geographic’s photographers captured to document the beauty of our ecosystems, the show zooms in on what we know (and don’t know) about the planet where we live, as well as the human impact on the environment over the millennia.
The jackets are being shed and umbrellas are opening up as summertime heat is just around the corner. The Cascine Park transforms into a warm weather hotspot once again with the return of the Ultravox Festival. Guests can enjoy a range of themed festivals featuring music concerts, film and sports screenings, entertainment for the little ones and delicious catering. All Ultravox Festival events are free with a reserved parking lot on viale dell’Aeronautica for those arriving by car.
More than 50 works connected to the Gallery of Mirrors and Biblioteca Riccardiana will make up this major exhibition at Palazzo Medici Riccardi on Baroque master Luca Giordano (1634-1705). Expect a series of sketches on loan from the National Gallery in London as well as other important artworks from private collections in Europe and the United States, the Uffizi and the Opera del Duomo Museum in Siena, among others.
Prato’s Textile Museum introduces an exhibition of 50 kimonos from the first half of the 20th century. This show documents the evolution of economic and cultural relations between Europe and Japan, which began in the mid-sixteenth century and over time became a major influence on fashion, art and culture. Another section of the exhibition also provides an in-depth study of traditional textiles and decorative techniques for kimonos and references to European artworks from artists like Matisse, Klimt and Kandinsky.