An exhibition at Villa Bardini honours Queen Elizabeth II while Chinese film festivals and days dedicated to saké add to Florence’s cultural mix.
Here’s our round-up for October 20-27.
An exhibition at Villa Bardini honours Queen Elizabeth II while Chinese film festivals and days dedicated to saké add to Florence’s cultural mix.
The Annigoni Museum in Villa Bardini hosts an homage to Queen Elizabeth II with the display including one of the three official replicas of the famous portrait of the sovereign by Pietro Annigoni from 1954-55, along with other materials related to the work. Curated by Emanuele Barletti, the display is made up of 400 objects such as books, magazines, newspapers, photographs, postage stamps, coins, banknotes, and commemorative objects.
The long professional life of the renowned photographer is celebrated with his most poignant shots, selected by the curator Biba Giacchetti together with the French-American photographer. Around 70 photographs will be on display, including shots of Marilyn Monroe, his iconic dogs, and the well-known work titled California Kiss.
7 artists (Leone Contini, Simone Donati, Claudia Losi, Elena Mazzi, Eléna Nemkova, Caterina Sbrana and Nicola Toffolini) investigate the merging of natural and artificial spaces, with the project on display at IED Firenze created in collaboration between the IED Masters in Curatorial Practice and the Palazzo Strozzi Foundation on the occasion of the Olafur Eliasson exhibition.
Over 200 works by the Dutch artist Maurits Cornelis come to the complex designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, displaying engravings and lithographs intertwining art, mathematics, science, physics and design.
‘Queens & Peace’ is the theme this year for the festival that spotlights pioneers who have changed Florence’s past, present and future. Under the artistic direction of Serena Dandini, the fifth edition of the festival features inspiring figures such as Jill Abramson, the first woman executive editor of the New York Times, and the former magistrate Ilda Boccassini, with war, peace, power and leadership at the centre of many of the events organized.
So Cards and The Beehive host ‘Beyond the Small Talk‘. The card-based question ‘game’ helps participants dig deeper, causing you to pause, think, and open up. The rules are: no talk of work, school, the news, or the weather. The evening of conversation and connection starts from 7.30pm, with entrance costing 10 euro (includes one drink). Purchase your ticket in advance as space is limited.
The 24th edition of the market exhibition explores white truffle and typical products of Alta Valdicecina with culture and entertainment added into the mix. Wine tastings, crafts and more bring you to discover local flavours. Don’t miss the unique historical challenge, the Palio dei Caci Volterrani along via Franceschini, and take part in visits, a truffle hunt, and trekking.
Journey into Chinese culture and cinema with the second edition of the festival reflecting on contemporary China. Talks, workshops, screenings and special guests make up the programme, with the title of the festival meaning “variety of blooming flowers”. Films are screened in original language with Italian subtitles.
Firenze in Rosa Onlus are behind a range of activities for Pink October, raising awareness around breast cancer through the #BePINK campaign that invites people to decorate their windows, balconies and shop fronts pink, or to wear something pink such as the charity’s origami bow. Buildings and monuments around Florence will light up pink in honour of the event, with the 6 historical gates of the city, Teatro Puccini and the Loggia of the Istituto degli Innocenti among the venues showing their support. Free ultrasound checks will be offered for women up to 45 years old and those above 75 years of age, who are not part of the regional screening programme. They will also be offered for men who wish to check the possibility of an inherited disease.
Marie Lambert-Le Bihan works with artists enrolled in the Mascarade Emerging Artists programme in a performance of arias by Rossini, Verdi and Strauss on October 27.
Two days of tastings and masterclasses are dedicated to the famous fermented rice and more, including tea, whiskey and beers from Japan. The second edition of the festival features guests such as Giovanni Baldini of Sake Scouting who will guide participants in their discovery of Nihonshu, and Daniele Cancellara who will lead visitors through the world of Japanese Whiskey.