POPE/Francis in Florence! November 10 Downtown Florence and Stadio Franchi
Habemus papam! We have a pope, indeed—coming to Florence in the flesh! Pope Francis will participate in the Italian Episcopal Conference from November 9 to 13 and will be about town on November 10, touching down at the Ridolfi stadium around 9.15am. Next he’ll move toward the baptistery, later going inside the Duomo and then having a noon lunch with the homeless at Santissima Annunziata. Spot him on via dei Calzaiuoli and in piazza della Signoria around 3pm as he makes his way to Stadio Franchi for a mass with 50,000 faithful. Entry is free, but tickets are required via Arcidiocesi Firenze. Catch the ‘chief cardinal’ on big screens in piazza Santa Croce and piazza della Signoria throughout his visit.
INSIDER/Live it Local! November 11, 5–10pm Palazzo Belfiore, via dei Velluti 8, Florence
Palazzo Belfiore is hosting the second Live it Local!, an eclectic showcase of Florence’s coolest ‘insider’ experiences offered by local businesses, from artisan studios and Oltrarno restaurants to tour companies and fitness venues. See what you’ve been missing in Florence during this free ‘tasting session’ of sorts: sip blended teas and fine wines, take a mini yoga class, or sample some neighborhood restaurants’ specialties. Before the crowds arrive, there will be kids’ activities organized by children’s hospital Meyer in collaboration with The Florentine (4.30pm, redazione@theflorentine.net to book). Live it Local! is open to the public, but reservations are mandatory: email info@residencebelfiore.it.
SCHOLARLY/‘Empirical’ November 5–7 Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici, via Faenza 43, Florence
This exciting international symposium explores how the creation and dissolution of empires have impacted art collecting and museums. Since very little has been written on the history of collecting from a non-European perspective, this three-day conference will take a look at the tradition through a global, inclusive approach, without sugarcoating Western colonialism through the centuries. Featuring scholars from India, the United States, Germany and beyond, the talks are all free and open to the public, with no reservation required. View the full program here.
MUSIC/Of Monsters & Men November 10, 9pm Teatro Obihall, via Fabrizio de André 3, Florence
A slice of Iceland will come to Florence when Of Monsters & Men performs at the Obihall. This quirky quintet has a dreamy sound reminiscent of Mumford & Sons and the Lumineers. Back in 2011, they made a splash on the international airwaves with the chart-topping ‘Little Talks.’ The band will prove its alt-pop prowess with both fan favorites and tracks from new album, Beneath the Skin. Fellow Icelanders Mammút will open the show. Tickets are still available at publication of this article: visit the Obihall website for more information.
EAT/A Mood for Food! November 8–10 Stazione Leopolda, viale Fratelli Rosselli 5, Florence
More than 1,500 Italian cooks, some 200 certified sommeliers and a whole lot of hungry visitors will fill up the Stazione Leopolda for Food and Wine in Progress. Over the three days of the fair, open to the public and trade professionals alike, visitors can explore the food and wine industry, from family-run operations to megabrands. In the ‘Barman Style’ section, Italian mixologists will show off their signature cocktails, while cooking shows with starred chefs and several sit-down meals round out the program.
EAST/Contemporary China Until November 17Palazzo Medici Riccardi, via Cavour 3, Florence
Take advantage of a rare chance to see Chinese art in one of Florence’s Renaissance palaces: the 12th China National Exhibition of Fine Arts at Palazzo Medici Riccardi. Contemporary paintings, prints, sculptures, watercolors and mixed media works are on display, from the ground floor to the Galleria delle Carrozze to the Limonaia rooms. Comprising 65 masterpieces chosen from a pool of 24,000 competitors, the traveling exhibition has made stops in the United States, Japan and New Zealand, but Florence is the only European city on its worldwide tour. The exhibition will be open from 9am to 7pm Thursday through Tuesday.
