Here’s our round-up for May 19-26.
Festivals for kindness, sustainability, film and literature put Florence in a positive direction, while charity fairs and garden events get us out and about these sunny days.
Here’s our line-up of best events this May 19 – 26.
A new festival focused on sustainability offers workshops for all ages, artistic and theatrical performances and talks in a series organized by Heyart Cultural Association dedicated to the circular economy and the promotion of sustainability. 14 days of events from May to December bring new life to the Tepidarium in Giardino dell’Orticoltura, making it a space open to all. With food trucks, DesignLabs and live music, the first edition takes place on May 21 and 22, with the next days to be held on June 21+22, July 13+14, September 17+18, October 15+16, November 19+20, and December 17+18. Free entrance with booking required.
Two recently launched bookstores, Alice Libreria e Centro Culturale (first floor, via de’ Pucci 4) and L’ornitorinco (via di Camoldoli 10/R), have come together in tribute to the XXXIV edition of Salone Internazionale del Libro di Torino, with seven days of books presentations by international authors, slam poetry battles, exhibitions, virtual reality, and more. The series sees Canadian writer and critic Antanas Sileika in conversation with journalist Carlo Benedetti at 6.30pm on May 18. Listen to audiobooks on headphones and wear Gold’s viewers to take a journey into virtual reality. An exhibition of works by internationally renowned illustrator Giulia Pintus opens at 6.30pm on May 19, with works from her latest book for children, Attilo. See the programme.
22 May 2022
On May 22, private historic homes open to the public thanks to the A.D.S.I. (Association of Historic Homes). With free admission (reservation required for some venues), the select locations open from 10am to 1pm, and 2.30 to 6pm, unless otherwise stated. The annual occasion gives access to 20 historic homes, monumental parks, courtyards and wine cellars in a chance to enjoy Florence’s rich cultural heritage. Four guided tours will also be offered by Città Nascosta, for a cost of 10 euro, reservations required. (055 6802590, 055 6801680 or info@cittanascosta.it).
San Francesco di Paola Garden, piazza San Francesco di Paola 3
Giardino Torrigiani, via dei Serragli 144
Palazzo Ricasoli Firidolfi (no reservation required), via Maggio 7
Palazzo Antinori di Brindisi Aldobrandini (no reservation required), via dei Serragli 9
Palazzo Frescobaldi (no reservation required), via Santo Spirito 11
Antica Torre Terrace (Fiesole Music School concert, 11 pm), via Tornabuoni 1
Palazzo Bartolini Salimbeni (no reservation required), piazza Santa Trinita 1
Palazzo Corsini (no reservation required), lungarno Corsini 10
Palazzo Rucellai (no reservation required), via della Vigna Nuova 18
Palazzo Antinori, piazza Antinori 3
Palazzo Gondi, via dei Gondi 2 and piazza San Firenze 1
Antellesi Garden (no reservation required), piazza Santa Croce 21
Fondazione Mello – Le Colonne Art Studio, borgo Pinti 24
Palazzo Leopardi – Marcello Tommasi Art Studio, via della Pergola 57
Palazzo Ximenes Panciatichi (Fiesole Music School concert, 3 pm), Borgo Pinti 68
Palazzo Grifoni Budini Gattai (Fiesole Music School concert, 4 pm), piazza Santissima Annunziata 1
Palazzo Niccolini (Fiesole Music School concert, 12pm, no reservation required), via dei Servi 15
Palazzo Pucci, via de’ Pucci 4
Palazzo Ginori (Fiesole Music School concert, 5 pm), via de’ Ginori 11
Villa Tornabuoni Lemmi, via Taddeo Alderotti 56
With Palazzo Vecchio and the Cloister of Santa Maria Novella hosting many of the events for the kindness-focused festival, attendees can expect music, entertainment and talks on the themes of the environment, sustainability, the economy, leadership and care-giving. 40 initiatives over 7 days take place in the five districts of Florence for the second edition of the festival, with special guests including Daniel Lumera, bestselling author and creator of the My Life Design® method and the Gentile Italia Movement, poet and performer Franco Arminio, and many experts, psychologists, architects, philosophers, writers, scholars, and more.
Contemporary arts centre Palazzo Strozzi is fully embracing the NFT revolution with an exhibition that experiments with the art of the present and future. Let’s Get Digital! is one of the first and most significant shows in Italy to focus on digital art. Running from May 18 to July 31, the exhibition takes visitors on an immersive journey into non-fungible tokens in the famous Renaissance courtyard and down into the depths of the Strozzina halls. Read more about the show.
The idyllically situated Belmond Villa San Michele hotel vaunts spectacular views from its hilltop position in Fiesole. Its iconic loggia lines the left side, where lunch and dinner are served as the city spreads out below. The Italian garden is the setting for a series of high caliber events this season for a blissful experience just a short distance from Florence. This week’s line-up sees an event titled ‘Di Che Bolla Sei’ from 6.30pm, exploring the world of bubbles with wine expert Filippo Bartolotta and a special guest, followed by an aperitivo. Cost: 40 euro. Contact concierge.vsm@belmond.com, or T +39 055 567 8200.
7 May 2022 - 18 June 2022
Pollicino Verde presents readings, workshops, itineraries, performances, games, art experiences and much more to engage children aged 0-6 with nature. The free activities take place all over the city with endless ways for kids to learn about the world around them.
This intriguing social-media focused exhibition curated by Marcella Piccinni will be launched at 6.30pm on May 20. The artist from Olbia performs his first public performance at The Student Hotel, drawing inspiration from time spent on social networks studying influencers, followers, and the power of memes.
The American International League of Florence host their Spring Fair at Il Conventino from 10am to 7pm on May 21, and 10am to 3pm on May 22. Selling a wide variety of clothes, books, home-ware and vintage at great prices, all funds raised will be donated to local charities.
