The ever-interesting cultural calendar curated in the city take us through November in style.
Share your events with The Florentine: events@theflorentine.net
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Here’s our round-up for November 2023.
The ever-interesting cultural calendar curated in the city take us through November in style.
Share your events with The Florentine: events@theflorentine.net
International documentaries get their moment at the 64th edition of the film festival. 124 films cover everything from politics and music to the environment and societal concerns, with guests including Oscar winner Liv Ullmann, photographer and director Anton Corbijn, and singer Peter Doherty. Masterclasses and more make up this edition, with documentaries including I am a Noise, a frank portrait of Joan Baez, the American singer and activist, and Eastern Front, an urgent account of life on the frontline in Ukraine. Categories include the historical archive of the festival and Popoli for Kids and Teens, with a selection of films also viewable via MYmovies.it.
Journey to Japan for two days of kimonos, swords and dragons in the popular celebration led by Lailac. From the Manjushaka dance show with the Ryu dragon dance to the taiko drum show by the Sayrui Shindo group, the venue fills with martial arts, workshops exploring cultural ceremonies such as tea, as well as street foods and Japanese drinks. 11am-8pm, minimum donation of 3 euro to enter. Free for under 10s and Lailac members.
Works by mother and daughter Elizabeth Brewster Hildebrand (1878-1956) and Clotilde Peploe (1915-97) are compared and contrasted, with the familial bond extending to the screenings of great-granddaughter Lola Peploe’s film Grandmother’s Footsteps at Cinema La Compagnia on the occasion of Festival dei Popoli, premiering on November 4.
Sustainability is at the centre of this environmental-focused fest with workshops and talks around the circular economy taking place in the greenhouse venue. Installations, performances and kids’ activities prompt reflection on how to protect the planet.
Activities and attractions make the most of the season with food, wine and folklore in Figline taking on an autumnal theme.
LEGO lovers rejoice as the sixth edition of the LEGO building extravaganza returns to Tuscany Hall. Put your skills to the test or meet other AFOLs (adult fans of LEGO) with plenty of playsets for little ones (and not only!).
The historical Jewish community of Florence and their contribution to the city’s culture are represented in a new exhibition at Palazzo Pitti. The exhibition displays a decade of work from the Medici Archive Project, which has uncovered hundreds of documents detailing the destroyed Jewish ghetto. The exhibition features a 3D reconstruction of the area as well as the never before displayed work of Jona Ostiglio, artist of the Medici court.
The third edition of the international festival dedicated to tourism and cultural heritage sees highlights such as a conference-show titled Homus turisticus Evolution by Duccio Canestrini at 8.30pm on November 21 (15 euro via Eventbrite), a documentary film on Georgian wine in the presence of director Nana Jorjadze and a wine tasting at 6pm on November 22. At 7pm, there will be a screening of the film Genius Loci by Matteo Faccenda attended by the director. Free entry for many events.
Workshops, conferences, music and more welcome artists, therapists, researchers and the curious to the hills just outside Florence. Theatre, dance, poetry, installations and performances prompt thinking on intrapsychic, artistic and community life. Our interest is piqued by the silent walk at dawn at 6.30am “To embrace the day,” with Cecilia Gallia, a free event open to all. Workshops on creative processes, loneliness and explorations into Commedia dell’Arte and the comedy of life also feature in the varied line-up. From free to 327 euro
The collective exhibition by IED Florence linked to Anish Kapoor’s exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi features works exploring time and its different forms and meanings. The exhibition will be accompanied by two performances at the Strozzina: a “sleeping concert” by Giulio Aldinucci from 9.30pm to 9am on November 11 and 23, and a durational performance by Jacopo Jenna from 7-9pm on November 23.
Works by Yulia Nesis explore memory and the search for one’s roots, weaving her reflections through cylindrical “sheaves” made from linen, hemp, jute and metal, representing the perpetual movement of life, with other works consisting of handmade paper made of cellulose and metal. Free admission.
The contemporary cinema and art festival directed by Silvia Lucchesi sees over 30 screenings, including world and Italian premieres, attended by special guests. The opening night will be led by Lebanese artist Rabih Mroué, investigating the dramatically relevant theme of the representation of the violence and horror of war mediated by screens and the web. A focus of the festival will be Guido van der Werve with the Italian premiere of his first autobiographical feature film. There will be an homage to Diego Marcon, linked to his ongoing solo exhibition at the Luigi Pecci Contemporary Art Centre in Prato, and The Magic Mountain by Micol Roubini goes on show at the Strozzina in Palazzo Strozzi on November 13. The series will come to a close with Vasilis Katsoupis’ Inside with Willem Dafoe, a psycho-thriller centred on international contemporary artists’ works curated for the film by Leonardo Bigazzi.
Celebrating movies made by women, the film fest features talks and more, exploring cinema as a cultural activity and how it involves local communities, taking place as part of the 50 Days of Cinema series. Films are in the original language with Italian subtitles.
26 November 2023
Ready, set, go for the 39th edition of the international road race held in the city centre, with the 42km challenge being the second most famous Italian marathon after Rome. The route takes runners through many of Florence’s main sites, from piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio to piazza Duomo, with the built landscape providing a welcome distraction from the physical fatigue.
The Mascarade Concert Series continues at 6.30pm on November 23 at The British Institute Library (Lungarno Guicciardini 9) with songs with Florentine links, from Rossini’s Serate Musicali and some wonderfully atmospheric Respighi to Liszt’s beautiful settings for tenor voice of the Petrarch Sonnets. This is a one-hour programme with Mascarade singers accompanied by artistic director Julia Lynch at the piano.
Alice bookstore organizes ‘Sip and Painting’ from 9-11pm on November 9 and 30, costing 20 euro with materials and first bottle of wine included. At 6.45pm on November 10, Mariana Kalonda Okassake addresses crucial issues such as the stigmatization of bodies, colonialism, diet culture and racial issues, in Italian, with Kaaj Tshikalandand. At 9pm on November 18, there will be the ABC Alice Book Club with The Florentine, where both English and Italian are welcome in discussions of Melissa Broder’s Affamata / Fed Me.
A Creative Aperitivo organized by Creative People in Florence takes place at Ditta Artigianale from 6-9pm on November 8. It’s a space for creative people to find each other, talk about their work and build their community in Florence. All welcome.
Bosnian-American writer Aleksandar Hemon speaks at 6.15pm on November 20 ahead of his latest release, The World and All That It Holds, in bookstores from November 14. The book will be presented in both English and Italian, in conversation with Alessandro Raveggi.
The British Institute of Florence (lungarno Guicciardini 9) hosts their Wednesday Lectures Series weekly at 6pm, with November 8 seeing Ross King present ‘The Bookseller of Florence’, Timothy Verdon discussing ‘Raphael’s Madonna del Baldacchino and the Basilica of Santo Spirito’ on November 15, ‘Between the Sheets: Conception, birth, adultery, illness, death and dreaming 1300-1600’ by Duncan Geddes on November 22, and Francesca Baldry presenting ‘Pre-Raphaelite Sisterhood’ on November 29. The Music al British series features a piano recital by Jae Hong Park at 6.30pm on November 9, a violin concert by David Schulman on November 16, and Florence Songs by Mascarade Singers on November 23 (see above). Lungarno Chats with Morgan Fiumi will be held on November 13, with a Meet the Author event on November 27, with Wallis Wilde-Menozzi. Social bridge is held on Tuesdays, with afternoon tea on Wednesdays.
SOTTO al British (lungarno Guicciardini 15) holds brainstorming for writers with Lori Hetherington on November 21 and life drawing with Tom J.Byrne from 7 to 9pm on Mondays. Come and sing Christmas carols at 6pm on Fridays with maestro Francesco Romano, followed by a glass of wine.
St. James Episcopal Church opens their Children’s Lending Library (via Bernardo Rucellai 9) on Thursdays (4.30-6.30pm) and Sundays (10.30am-12.30pm). The Thrift Shop Sale is held on the last Wednesday of the month, from 9.30-11.30am. Alcoholics Anonymous in English is also held on site, with their food bank open and distributing on Thursday mornings, 10-11am.
The Women’s International Network hosts their November meeting at 7.30pm on November 8 at Palazzo San Niccolò, with guest speakers Debora Picchi and Reha Nawin looking at the topic of ‘Being a woman in Afghanistan today’.
Palace Women – Oltrarno and Beyond features an exhibition on Photography and Artisans with artists Ilaria Ceccarelli, Ayako Nakamori, Kristie Mathieson, Jane Harman, Andrew Stone, Negar Azhar Azari and Brenda Luize Roepke. Ten women photographers from the award-winning Florentine cultural association Gruppo Fotografico Il Cupolone capture the essence of the Oltrarno sites and female-run workshops, on show until December 15: open Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 3.30 to 6.30pm and by appointment. At 6pm on November 14, attend the book presentation at the Il Palmerino Cultural Association of Palace Women: Where Florence’s Women Made History, followed by a curator-led visit of Villa La Petraia on November 28 (in Italian, free admission), under the theme of From Ballroom to Boudoir, Villa La Petraia’s women. A lecture by Francesca Baldry at The British Institute of Florence on November 29 looks at Pre-Raphaelite ‘Sisterhood’ in the villas of Bellosguardo
St Mark’s English Church holds a Choral Eucharist every Sunday at 10.30am, with the choir under the direction of their recently announced director of music, Mark Spyropoulos. New members are welcome (email administrator@stmarksitaly.com). There will be a Remembrance service at 10.30am on November 12, followed by a short service at the Florence War Cemetery at 3pm; all welcome. A weekly mindfulness-based stress reduction group is held at via Maggio 16.
Lìlà Toy Store on via Maggio 78R have board games for ages eight and over from 10am to noon on November 11, with a Christmas decoration workshop using natural and reused materials at 4pm on November 18 (registration required). Activities as part of L’Eredità delle Donne on November 26 in collaboration with Libreria Alice consist of a presentation of ‘Pink, a game for girls?’ at 3pm, a board game for over 16s that combats the patriarchy, and a presentation of the book Prepare to push – being a mother TODAY in Italy, with author Francesca Bubba (in Italian).
The Astra Cinema (piazza Cesare Beccaria 9) screens the Coen brothers’ cult classic, The Big Lebowski, in a restored version from November 5, with some screenings in the original English language.
Speakeasy Multilingual organizes an Oltrarno Art Crawl from 5.30 to 8.30pm on November 11, costing 12 euro, including drinks and snacks, exploring four art galleries in the Oltrarno. Reservation required.
Showcase Open Mic is held every first and third Tuesday, from 9pm to midnight, at Ostello Bello (via Faenza 56). Join local and visiting musicians for a night of live music, open to performers of all levels.
The American International League of Florence raises awareness of violence against women by covering piazza Santa Croce with over 3,500 crocheted and knitted blankets, selling the blankets to raise monies for relevant charities. Minimum donation of 20 euro.
69 drawings by the Italian singer and pianist Paolo Conte made from the 1970s through to today will be on display in the recently inaugurated graphic art rooms. Upon completion, Autoritratto di un pirla (Self-portrait of an idiot) (1978) will be donated to the gallery.
Palazzo Corsini sul Lungarno
The bi-annual market raises funds for seriously ill people and their families, with donations going towards Fondazione Italiana di Leniterapia. Held in the stunning palazzo, there’s a vast selection of quality vintage clothing and accessories for the eighth edition of the fashionable affair.
November 10-12
Piazza Santa Croce
The textile arts fair returns with the world of fabrics unfurling in Florence. Local wools and yarns with a sustainable and traditional focus fill the piazza, with talks, workshops and demonstrations for all ages exploring eco-printing and natural dyeing, as well as weaving, hemp dyeing, looming and wool spinning.
November 4-5
Piazza del Carmine + piazza Santo Spirito
The piazzas are populated with products from small-scale organic farmers, local craftsmanship and all kinds of natural treats, with piazza del Carmine holding the fair every second Sunday, and piazza Santo Spirito taking its turn every third Sunday of the month.
November 12 + 19
Stendhal stand-art – Only Usato Market
Il Conventino Caffè Letterario
Dedicated to emerging artists, art, fashion and artisans meet in the creativity showcase titled ‘Stendhal stand-art’ that gives creators the opportunity to share their talents and passion with others, taking place in conjunction with the Only Usato Market, host to curated vintage and secondhand items.
November 12; noon-8pm, free entry
Charity Market
A charity market from November 3-5 raises funds for Smile Project ODV, with the picturesque venue of Tepidarium del Roster hosting clothes and accessories for the fundraiser that goes towards initiatives in Eritrea.
Piazza Santa Croce
Signs of Christmas commence with the popping up of this much-loved German-inspired market, bringing street food stalls, sweet gift ideas, and a whole lot of atmosphere.
November 18-December 17
An artistic installation by Omar Galliani celebrates the 100th anniversary of the great director-set designer Franco Zeffirelli. Inspired by Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, Galliani uses a beam of light to illuminate an ultramarine face, created with polychrome pastels and gold leaf. Another work is placed on the balcony, adding further stage-like drama to the Zeffirelli Museum.
Marking the 590th anniversary of Marcello Ficino, Palazzo Pretorio in Figline e Incisa Valdarno hosts 18 works, including paintings, sculptures and manuscripts as well as multimedia installations, which explore his life and themes.
Supercar lovers are in for a treat this October 11 to 13 as five-star luxury hotel Villa La Massa holds a car event like no other. Villa La Massa Excellence ...
The Sensory Bar offers a 90-minute exclusive experience for coffee enthusiasts at the Scuola del Caffè, located within Ditta Artigianale in Piazza Sant’Ambrogio. Set in a historic venue, small groups ...
Un incontro ad alba avanzata, nel centro di Firenze. Passeggeremo per le stradine ed i vicoli con la brezza mattutina, con i colori magnifici del primo mattino (portate una macchina fotografica!) e i...
Experience a unique adventure while discovering Florence and its surroundings, all while comfortably seated in a sidecar (there’s space for two!), accompanied by a professional English-speaking driver. There are several ...