Here’s our round-up for November 16-23, 2023.
Topics related to travel and tourism come under the spotlight with The World in Florence, culture vultures flock for the Japanese festival, and the popping up of the much-loved Christmas market in piazza Santa Croce ushers in the start of the seasonal festivities.
Share your events with The Florentine: events@theflorentine.net
Make sure to book your table for a celebration at Hotel Number Nine with The Florentine! Join us for a four-course meal served with Ruffino wines and live music by Daisy’s as we raise a glass in gratitude for what we have. Kicking off at 7.30pm on November 23, 75 euro (55 euro for children under 16) includes a donation to Associazione Artemisia, a Florence-based charity supporting women and children who experience domestic abuse. Limited space available, so book early to avoid disappointment. info@ninebistro.it / +39 055 2937740
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
The Mascarade Concert Series continues at 6.30pm on November 23 at The British Institute Library 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. Find out more.
At 9pm on November 18, the second session of the ABC Alice Book Club with The Florentine meets to discuss Melissa Broder’s Affamata / Fed Me. Both English and Italian are welcome at the eclectic bookstore in the chat about the chosen tome, read in whatever language participants prefer.
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 festival focused on innovation and digital technologies features special guests such as Lucrezia Reichlin, Yoko Yamada, Tiberio Cosmin and more. Free entry upon registration.
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.
Slate sculptures, prints on paper and videos form a single installation that recounts more than ten years of the artist’s work. Giovanni Ozzola (Florence, 1982) presents an exhibition project that interprets urban regeneration, with light and darkness playing key roles in communicating his message.
Until November 23
Dance, performances, and workshops dedicated to social inclusion and cultural participation take place in various venues of Quartieri 1, 4 and 5. Inspired by Komerebi, the Japanese word for the sunlight that dances among the leaves of the trees, the autumn festival created by Stazione Utopia creates new cultural experiences with free admission.
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Following 8 years of restoration, the world famous Vasari Corridor has finally reopened to the public! Let’s have a walk inside this historic gallery. Visits are in small groups of ...