Here’s our line-up of best events this May 5 – 12.
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The Florentine
Here’s our round-up for May 5-12.
Here’s our line-up of best events this May 5 – 12.
Curated by Marcella Cangioli and Antonella Nicola, the Cartavetra Gallery hosts works by the Tuscan artist, Marco Paoli, titled TRE.E, created during lockdown. Photography is used as a tool by the artist who has travelled the world, narrating both distant lands and nearby places. Nature is always at the centre, with trees a particular point of fascination for Paoli. 20 works in various formats make up the show, with tales by the Brothers Grimm and Japanese painting variously providing inspiration.
Opera Viva by Florentine artist Matteo Baroni comes to Serre Torrigiani (via Gusciana 27) with an ever-growing work in the shape of a dome made from iron rods adding even more allure to the already stunning gardens.
A vintage clothing market raises funds in support of the FILE foundation (Fondazione Italiana di Leniterapia). The fifth edition of the free admission fair features a wide range of quality vintage clothing and accessories that have been generously donated for the cause. More than style and fashion, this event supports palliative care and psychological support offered to the seriously ill and their families.
The 12th edition of the high-level reflection conference on the European Union organized by the European University Institute is titled ‘A Europe Fit for the Next Generation’, with more than 35 panels, over 160 speakers and 40-plus countries represented. The main themes for this year are sustainability and resilience, democracy and the rule of law, a fairer future, society and migration, and crisis and change. Speakers include the managing director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, High Representative of the EU / Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell-Fontelles, the president of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, and the WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
5 May 2022
The Oltrarno Gaze events series sees the Bridges: Book Art exhibition at La Colonica del Palmerino (via il Palmerino 6) from Thursdays to Sundays 3-6.30pm (or by appointment) May 5 to June 5, with a spoken-word performance by Marisa Garreffa titled Stitching Artists into History, based on the call for writers’ submissions, on the opening and closing dates. Free admission; reserve by emailing associazione@palmerino.it.
6 May 2022
Etra Studio Tommasi (via della Pergola 57) open the doors of their historical gallery on May 6 for an evening of art, music and wine tasting. The first in the series features Parisian DJ and record collector Vidal Benjamin in a vinyl-only selection, with a wine corner curated by Vino al Vino, with the natural wines on offer chosen by winemaker Filippo Gamba.
The British Embassy in Rome and the new British Ambassador to Italy Edward Llewellyn are hosting a live Q&A session for UK nationals living in Italy from 5.30-6.30pm on May 11. Connect to the live session on Facebook or YouTube. There will also be an opportunity to meet the new ambassador from 6-7pm on May 10 at St Mark’s English Church, via Maggio 16, where there will be an introduction followed by a Q&A session. Sign up here.
The Women’s International Network meet at 7.30pm on May 11 at the Mascarade Opera School in Palazzo Corsini (via il Prato 56) for an interview with opera coach Dr. Ralph Strehle. Topics include resilience, motivation and techniques for high-pressure performance environments. An apericena starts the evening, followed by the speaker from 8.30-9.30pm. The event is open to all, 20 euro for WIN members, 27 for guests. Deadline for sign-ups is May 9.
A garden party with dinner and concert to benefit Ukrainian refugees in Lucca will be held from 6-9pm on May 14 in the garden of the International School of Italian Cuisine in Lucca. Proceeds will go to the charity Caritas Lucca to help in its many efforts to support Ukrainian refugees who have fled to the province.
Three open days with dozens of events, performances and talks take place with a selection of the 2,000 artists who have worked in MAD since 2016. The series begins with a conference at 10am on May 6 titled “New European Bauhaus: an instrument of urban regeneration”, created in collaboration with Europe Direct Florence. 8 installations and exhibitions are freely viewable over the three days, with free guided tours. Video, dance and workshops for children are also part of the packed line-up in the various spaces of the complex. See the full programme.
The Bonn English Singers will fill St Mark’s English Church with glorious song from 6pm on May 6, conducted by Stephen Harrap with organist James Short. The programme sees pieces such as This joyful Eastertide by Charles Wood, and Magnificat and Nunc dimittis by Stephen Harrap. The Bonn English Singers conducted by Stephen Harrap with organist Giacomo Benedetti also perform at the Chiesa Badia Fiorentina, via del Proconsolo at 8pm on May 7. The chamber choir will perform pieces by Henry Walford Davies, Dr.Charles Wood, J.Michael Haydn, Hugh Blair and more. Free entrance, with donations welcome.
The widespread exhibition Reincantare il mondo involves five Florentine religious communities (the Tibetan Buddhist Ewam Center, the Church of Santa Felicita, the Mosque, Synagogue, and Villa Vrindavana) as well as the civic space, the Semiottagone della Murate. Artists attempt to “re-enchant” the world through art and various spiritual and ethical forms. As part of the display, four large canvases by Tarshito fill the Semiottagono delle Murate in collaboration with MAD Murate Art District, and Giovanni Ozzola presents works from his Charts series at the Synagogue on via Luigi Carlo Farini, 6.
Climate, equality and peace are at the centre of the benefit event at Teatro Verdi titled Leonardo 4 Children, taking place on May 6. Workshops for young people take place from 2.30 to 4pm (6-12 year olds and 13-18 year olds), with a concert from 6.30-8pm. Funds raised go towards UNICEF efforts to help Ukrainian refugees. The event takes place in collaboration with Rete Musicale Toscana, Caravaggio & Contemporary, and Marina Calamai. Children aged 0-10 are free, teenagers 15 euro, and adults 15/20/30 euro.
At 5pm on May 7, the Villa Bandini library launches an exhibition of Dario Mannucci’s photography with journalist Alessandro Giannotti in attendance. The works can be viewed from May 9-15 from 3-7pm in the library’s exhibition hall in via di Ripoli 74r. The Florentine photographer is a graduate from the Fondazione Studio Marangoni and will display ‘The Clearing’, a long-term project that looks at man and male vulnerability. The event takes place as part of the ARTISTIcaMENTE cycle curated by Eva Tonietti. Registration for the opening event required by emailing bibliotecavillabandini@comune.fi.it.
The Professional Women’s Committee of the Tuscan American Association hold a conference in Italian at 4pm on May 6. Held in the Sala Americhe of the Grand Hotel Mediterraneo, it’s entitled “Donne Protagoniste del Mondo: nuovi modi di fare business per un futuro più sostenibile”. The speakers will be Elisabetta Renzoni, President of Flo concept fashion social business from Florence, Paola Butali, President of AIDDA Toscana and President of Azienda Agricola La Cerreta, Susan Tintori, Executive Director the Florence Academy of Art, Letizia Pagliai, Professor of the University of Turin, Elisabetta Beghelli, Wealth Manager, Faye Lottero, Artistic Director Fattoria Lavacchio Bio-Winery.
Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel hosts calligraphy creativity with Betty Soldi from 6-7.30pm on May 11. Costing 60 euro, materials are included in the floral-illustrative writing experience that is followed by an aperitivo.
Poggio Casciano hosts a day dedicated to its historic cellars with a guided tour of the historic cellars and tasting of Ruffino wines, purchasable at special prices. Whether you come for a lunch, snack, aperitivo or dinner, make the most of the spring sunshine at this spectacular venue, with visits and tastings from 10.30am to 6.30pm, and a DJ set from 6pm. For info and reservations, contact +39 378 30 50 220 or email hospitality@ruffino.it.
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.
