Description
As the first warmth drapes over Florence, we Homo sapiens appear to reawaken with renewed energy. It’s when we’re wooed by the wisteria at Villa Bardini and the irises by piazzale Michelangelo, we moan at the return of tourism and we reverse out of town into the rolling hills for long walks, leisurely picnics and long lunches. Back in the city centre, the season lends a fresh lens through which to appreciate our familiar surroundings, whether it’s golden hour lungarno lounging, rooftop antics or rediscovering courtyards amid the pietra forte palazzi.
“Spring is the time of plans and projects,” mused Leo Tolstoy in his Anna Karenina, perhaps inspired by his visit to Italy, including Florence, in
1861, remarking on the city’s “modesty and pleasance”. This issue of The Florentine strives to inspire your winter-postponed explorations for the month ahead, starting with a look at new openings around town (page 4), including a vegan lampredotto takeaway, blooms in a hotel lobby and a nod to the soft clubbing trend, followed by comprehensive guide to
the city’s parks and gardens (pages 6-7). We waste no time in informing you about all the cultural opportunities, from the water-soaked climate- change commentary of Danish collective SUPERFLEX in the courtyard at Palazzo Strozzi (page 9) to the 50th anniversary celebrations of the European University Institute (page 11), which brings top European speakers to Florence, and the impressive show dedicated to Ettore Sottsass at Pistoia’s Palazzo Buontalenti, ably reviewed by Martin Holman on page 13.
This month’s interviews include Falcone Geddes’ chat with Brittany-born artist Clet (page 8), renowned for his transformation of street signs and The Common Man, a sculpture added to Ponte alle Grazie, Jane Farrell’s conversation with Valentina Zucchi (page 10), the great mind behind much of Florence’s public cultural life in her role at Fondazione MUS.E and my own phone call with former ambassador turned writer, Nicholas Hopton, about his witty book, Maremma Mia (page 27).
