DANCE/ Marie Antoinette, Lyric Dance Company
November 7
Elegance and finesse of the Lyric Dance Company
The show, produced by the Lyric dance company with choreography by Alberto Canestro, traces the life of the queen of France, one of the most fascinating and controversial characters in history. Her insecurities and daily dramas are expertly rendered as the audience follows the young Marie Antoinette through to her public role in the court of France. Tickets cost 15 euro and can be purchased at Boxoffice Toscana and Ticketone. Click here for a preview of the spectacular show.
Teatro Puccini
via delle Cascine, 41, Florence
GUIDED TOUR/ Museo degli Innocenti
9.45am, November 10
Courtyard of Museo degli Innocenti
Guided tours of the of the Spedale degli Innocenti will take place on the occasion of the institute’s 600th anniversary. Exploring the building’s history, architecture and art, the tour will conclude with a visit to the 15th-century terrace and panoramic view, which houses the Caffè del Verone. Reservation required by sending an email to info@firenzeguidaturistica.it. The tour will last 1 hour and a half and costs 10 euro (7 euro for students, 5 euro for children under 12, free for children under 6. Entrance to the museum not included). As part of the anniversary celebrations, the Leading Minds Conference will take place from November 7 to 9, focusing on the resources, partnerships, services, political commitment and public support required to address the mental health crisis. While the event is not open to the public, UNICEF’s local initiatives are published on their Facebook and Twitter pages. For more info visit the website.
Istituto degli Innocenti
piazza Santissima Annunziata 12, Florence
LITERARY/ Book launch of ‘Visible: Plautilla Nelli and her Last Supper restored’
5.30-7pm, November 12
The authors will be present at the launch
Advancing Women Artists latest publication with historic partners The Florentine Press will be launched this week. Authors Silvia Colucci, Rossella Lari, Linda Falcone, Francesco Morena, Silvia Ciappi, Donata Magrini and Susanna Bracci will be on site to share their research regarding the four-year project aimed at rescuing Nelli’s masterwork now on display at the Santa Maria Novella Museum. Topics discussed include diagnostic tests which revealed the secrets of Nelli’s palette; the tension-filled moment Nelli represents and what the restoration tells us about the artist. To find out more about the restoration and to buy a copy of the book, click here. Admission is free, but booking is mandatory to linda@advancingwomenartists.org
Santa Maria Novella’s Infopoint
piazza Stazione 5, Florence
REMEMBERING/ Italian Auschwitz Memorial
November 9
Italian Auschwitz Memorial
Remembering: On November 9, 1943, over 300 Jews were deported from Florence. After an inhumane journey, they arrived in Auschwitz, where 107 were entered into the camp and others were immediately killed. In memory of this tragic event and of this dark period in human history, readings of selected passages from diaries, letters and books will be held on November 9. For young people and adults, the readings take place at 10.30 and 11.30am and will last 50 minutes. Participation is free, booking is required by emailing info@muse.comune.fi.it. Visits of the Italian Auschwitz Memorial will also be available.
Auschwitz Italian Memorial
viale Donato Giannotti 75-81, Florence
DOCUMENTARY/ Festival dei Popoli
Until November 9
Screenings take place at multiple locations
The 60th edition of Festival dei Popoli, Italy’s leading documentary film festival, pays tribute to Ukrainian filmmaker Sergei Loznitsa, one of the most important contemporary European film directors. He will also hold a masterclass on November 8, sharing his vast wealth of knowledge. Among the important topics addressed in the compelling programme, the war in Syria and the environmental emergency will be explored, as well as an archival look back at the 60 years of the festival. Also noteworthy is the premiere of Sea-Watch 3, which explores the arrival of refugees in the port of Lampedusa and the social media storm that followed. Live musical performances and documentaries for kids complete the packed line-up.
Various locations
PHOTOGRAPHY/ Obiettivo Buchette: Photographing the Wine Doors of Florence
November 9 – January 10, 2020
Photography exhibition of wine doors at Caffè Guido Guidi
Featuring works by photographers Andrew Barrow and Robbin Gheesling, the historic wine doors of Florence are the focus of this unique exhibition. The wine doors are small portals that were used by the noble landowners of Tuscany to sell their wines to the public within the city walls. They were used from the Medici period of the 16th century until the early years of the 20th. The 260 documented wine doors are captured in a street art approach, with modern daily life carrying on about them. The launch will be held on November 9 at 5.30pm. Both artists will be in attendance and prints and photobooks will be available, organised by Buchette Del Vino, sponsored by Taste Florence Food Tours. For more info on the project see winedoorsflorence.com.
Caffè Guido Guidi, Teatro della Pergola
via della Pergola 18, Florence
BODY ART/ Florence Tattoo Convention
November 8-10
Event features performances, exhibitions and more
350 tattoo artists unite for a colourful convention at Fortezza da basso. Brought about to educate about best-practice, to empower tattoo art as an outlet for creativity and expression and to maintain a network amongst tattoo artists, the three days see live music, performances and contests take place alongside talks and displays. Incredible performances are sure to wow audiences as a number of live acts ramp up the excitement. The list includes Huma, a circus/theatre show, Marta Boo, and Golden Cage with Lady Rubina, a “selfie zone” at the heart of a gilded cage while acrobatics take place. The intriguing events are detailed at www.florencetattooconvention.com.
Fortezza da basso
viale Filippo Strozzi, 1, Florence
CREATIVITY/ WHY graphic design festival
November 8-10
Festival celebrating innovation in graphic design
