CONCERTS/Liberation Day + Sunday Sounds April 25, 5.30pm & April 26, 4pm–7.30pm Piazza della Signoria on Saturday; various squares on Sunday Website Marking the fall of Mussolini’s republic and the end of Nazi occupation in Italy, Liberation Day is celebrated on April 25. An annual fixture on the Florentine calendar is the open-air commemorative concert in piazza della Signoria. This year’s program will include Michele Mangani’s ‘La Grande Guerra’ and Bert Appermont’s ‘Jericho.’ The following day, the 78th Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Festival kicks off with afternoon mini-concerts in Florence’s most iconic piazzas. A final performance will bring all of the orchestras together in piazzale Vittorio Gui from 5.30–7.30pm. For the full list of participating piazzas, see Sunday, April 26 in the TF Weekly agenda section. For additional details, visit the Rossini Philharmonic Orchestra’s website.
DIGITAL/Digital Invasions April 24–May 3 Various venues in Florence and Tuscany Website #InvasioniDigitali is a grassroots initiative that began in Italy in 2013, promoting the digital diffusion of culture and challenging the academic, inaccessible image that museums and monuments often carry. Participants ‘invade’ selected museums institutions and even city streets, collecting photos, fun facts and other tidbits to share with the masses on social media. Last year, the event went beyond Italian and European borders and this year will likely continue to grow. As we went to press, one of the top Tuscan invasions on the calendar was set for Florence’s Giardino dei Semplici, but it’s up to YOU to organize more and plan your ‘attack!’ See the website for more information on how to get involved.
CINEMA/Tuesday at the Movies April 28, 8.30pm Odeon Cinehall, piazza Strozzi, FlorenceWebsitePalazzo Strozzi is partnering with the Odeon for an exciting cinematic series. In keeping with the themes explored in the ‘Power and Pathos’ exhibition, Palazzo Strozzi’s Tuesdays at the Movies focus on the unlikely relationship between classical civilization and twentieth-century filmmaking: directors Oliver Stone, Federico Fellini, Stanley Kubrick and others turned to the ancient Greeks as models for constructing myths and making observations about the modern world. The second film in this series is Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Medea (screened in Italian with English subtitles). Entry is free, but arrive early!
photo by Instagramer @puppettinaa
FLORAL/Florentine Flower Power!April 25–May 20Iris Garden, eastern side of piazzale Michelangelo, Florence WebsiteYou know spring has officially sprung in Florence when the iris garden finally opens! This favorite Florentine garden is lined with new paths this year, though parts of it will be closed off due to major restoration. The garden opens from 10am daily. Guided visits are available in English: call the via Bolognese office (055483112) and leave a message to book. Entry and visits are free, though donations to the volunteer-run organization are encouraged.
CRAFTS/Artisan Extravaganza April 24–May 3 Fortezza da Basso, viale Filippo Strozzi, Florence WebsiteFlorence’s massive artisan fair, the Mostra dell’Artigianato, has been going strong since 1931, highlighting the best in international craftsmanship. 800 exhibitors will be present, hailing from 50 different countries. A new development for 2015 is the vintage fashion section, which will feature sellers and boutique owners from Florence and far beyond. When you need to take a time-out from all the walking and shopping, pop by one of the numerous food booths. For more information, see the website.
EXHIBITION/Sculptures Also DieApril 17–July 26CCC Strozzina, piazza Strozzi, FlorenceWebsiteCurated by Lorenzo Benedetti, Sculptures Also Die is the perfect contemporary complement to Palazzo Strozzi’s Power and Pathos exhibition, spotlighting bronze sculptures of the Hellenistic age. Works on display are by 12 Italian and international artists and span a range of media and styles. Particular attention is given to the materials used and how they contribute to a dialogue between past and present: artist Oliver Laric, for example, uses of-themoment 3D techniques to reinterpret standard cultural symbols. For more information, see the Strozzina website.
