Here’s our round-up for July 13-20, 2023.
Outdoor cinema screenings and archaeological explorations see us seek cooler spots as Florence grapples with the current heatwave.
Share your events with The Florentine: events@theflorentine.net
Cinema under the stars, contemporary dance, literature and children’s workshops in an urban farm colour the Estate Fiorentina calendar. Blending culture and agriculture, the greenery is dotted with hay bales where you can enjoy the varied programme, all while dining on healthy food and taking part in outdoor activities.
The roof garden of Manifattura Tabacchi hosts a reading in Italian of La cerva di base by and with Teresa Cinque as part of Firenze dall’alto. The feminist take on traditional fairy tales like Snow White, Bambi and Little Red Riding Hood highlights the gender stereotypes that have been carried down through these narratives. Booking required through eventbrite with free entry.
Head to the hidden corners of the National Archaeological Museum of Florence with guided tours and activities for children in areas that are normally closed to the public. Discover lesser-known treasures like the “Coretto” of Maria Maddalena de’ Medici (think along the lines of the Vasari corridor), and pick among topics like ‘Tales of Egypt’ and ‘Voices of history’. The activities (in Italian) are included in the cost of the entrance ticket and reservations are not required. For information write to claudia.noferi@cultura.gov.it.
The body is the canvas in this performance and video installation that uses sound design, interactive systems and live electronics in an investigation of urban and natural landscapes and the words ‘habit’ and ‘inhabit’. Carried out by Teatro Studio Krypton as part of Estate Fiorentina, events are free.
Greta Gerwig brings Barbie to the big screen with Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling taking on the roles of Barbie and Ken. The screenings are in English, with Italian subtitles, on show from July 20. If Indiano Jones is more to your liking, select the screening of your choice before July 19.
Step back in time with the historical watches of the Del Vecchio collection. Over 60 clocks are on display, dating from the 15th to the 19th century, collected by Gian Carlo Del Vecchio (1918-2016). The exhibition is curated by Antonio Lenner and Giorgio Strano, with refined and significant pieces on show.
Opera stars come together to honour Giacomo Puccini in a free concert celebrating the maestro. Vittorio Grigolo, Fabio Sartori, Camilla Nylund, Afag Abasova and Ambrogio Maestri perform Puccini’s masterpieces, with the Bologna theatre orchestra conducted by Daniel Oren.
Sixteen free-entry screenings in the suburbs bring film-lovers together for the minivan that drives cinema around the city. Districts 2, 3, 4 and 5 each get their own dates in the ‘pocket cinema’ series.
From 9am to 7pm, piazza Santo Spirito fills with organic farming products, crafts and other locally made items in a much-loved market that takes place the third Sunday of every month.
The worlds of technology, dance and photography come together at this immersive experience in piazza Tasso. Try out a VR viewer to create a guided dance using a combination of sounds and visually interactive elements. There will also be a photo exhibition called Connections. Bond. Difference. The evening will wrap up with an improvised dance by Sara Campinoti and Agnese Lanza. Free to attend.
Top-tier culture returns to piazza Santissima Annunziata from July 16 to 26 for Musart Festival as leading names like Roberto Bolle, Venditti e De Gregori, Marco Masini, Drusilla Foer, Paolo Conte, Madame and Stewart Copeland take to the stage. Guests can also enjoy access to nearby monuments and exhibitions.
This exhibition aims to give a voice to the dreams of prison inmates through art as well as reflect on the concepts of freedom and punishment. The artists involved (all of European origin) were asked to interpret their works through some of the foundational concepts of the EU such as freedom, unity, memory, community and equality. The location of the exhibition used to act as a men’s prison between 1848 and 1983, tying in with the theme.
Every Thursday and Friday until August 10, savor a sunset aperitivo in the new gardens at Ruffino’s Poggio Casciano estate, near Florence, paired with live music. This week sees jazz musician Matteo Biancalani on July 13, Italian-Greek pianist and composer Tommaso Panconesi on July 14, and the ZipBag duo on July 20, with soul, R’n’B and pop on vocals and guitar.
Find out more
Until July 20, Michel Mayor event in September tbd
A totally out of this world program of events hosted by the Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica. Participants have the opportunity to learn about outer space through workshops, film screenings and lectures with astrophysicists as well as enjoy a telescope observation of the sky at the Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory. The program will close out with a special talk with 2019 Nobel Prize in Physics winner professor Michel Mayor. Registration is required for all events.
Enjoy an aperitivo and art from 6-10pm in the Fiesole hills, admiring works by Florentine painter Francesco Colacicchi. Cost: 15 euro. Reservations required (+393403040571).
Palazzo Strozzi presents the largest exhibition in Italy dedicated to the French-Chinese artist Yan Pei-Ming. Combining historical and contemporary concepts, Yan Pei-Ming explores portrait, landscape, still life and historical themes through his paintings. His research on the relationship between images and reality reflects the culture and history between the East and West. The 30+ works in the exhibition are curated by Arturo Galansino and will be on display until September 3.
Read our exhibition review
25hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino hosts a weekly “Live at 25”. Guests can enjoy live music and DJ sets every Thursday evening from 7pm-10:30pm.
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 ...
Transformative Shamanic Pipe Ceremonies and Retreats in Fiesole. Join us for holistic healing with Sacred tobacco Ceremonies and 4-Day Retreats in the serene Chianti hills above Florence. Led by R...
Discover the secrets of the Florentine masters through hands-on workshops in an historic marble studio in the center of Florence. Work with authentic materials such as marble, mosaic, lapis lazuli an...