Florence News, April 2017 by FN

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April in Florentine History

n the classic Florentine song ‘Mattinata Fiorentina,’ April is personified as a romantic figure who steals the hearts of young ladies at the Cascine Park. But in local traditions, April is not just the month of this well-regarded 'thief', to whom we should actually apologize for the unmasking. April also marks the death of one of the great symbols of Florence, the artist who, together with Donatello and Masaccio, is considered the 'father' of the Renaissance. Filippo Brunelleschi left us on April 16, 1446. Regarded as the father of modern architecture, Brunelleschi completed the cupola of the Dome, a work of revolutionary artistic engineering that became a symbol of the power that the city had reached; today a symbol of the magnificence of the past. Brunelleschi died at 69 and was, of course, buried inside the church. This is also the month of the Pazzi Conspiracy, which took place on April 26, 1478. It was Easter Sunday when two killers hired by the Pazzi family, rivals of the Medici, stabbed Lorenzo di Medici’s brother Giuliano to death during High Mass at the Dome. That day Giuliano had arrived at church late because he was feeling unwell and therefore did not sit next to Lorenzo as he usually did. This probably disoriented the conspirators, who were expecting him to

sit next to Lorenzo.Nevertheless they still tried to kill Lorenzo and failed. Lorenzo's assigned killer, Giovan Battista da Montesecco, refused to attack his victim at the last moment because he did not want to kill someone inside a church. Lorenzo owed his life to his best friend, Francesco Nori, who protected him with his body from the two assailants that had just killed Giuliano. Francesco died, while Lorenzo was merely wounded. After the conspiracy the Florentine population sided with the Medici, Lorenzo's vengeance was terrible, proportionate to the love he had for his brother. People who also passed away in April: Frederick Stibbert, founder of the Stibbert Museum, who died on April 10, 1906, and Filippino Lippi, who left us on April 18, 1504. A brilliant businessman and traveller, Stibbert was the father of the culture of antiques that gained momentum in the twentieth century, while Filippino Lippi was the talented artist who left us his legacy in the completion of the Brancacci Chapel, begun by Masolino and Masaccio more than 50 years earlier. Finally, on April 17, 1524, Giovanni da Verrazzano, a sailor born in Greve in Chianti, the capital of Chianti wine, wrote down on his diary the first-ever description of what the indigenous inhabitant were calling ‘Manhattan'.

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Murder in the Duomo

A short history of the Pazzi Conspiracy C. DE MELO

pril 26, 1478: Try to picture yourself as a Florentine attending Easter Mass on a bright Sunday morning. The cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is packed with worshipers. People bow their heads in respect as the priest raises the wine-filled chalice towards heaven for the holy act of transubstantiation. In that moment, Giuliano de’ Medici is viciously attacked by two assassins. Using razor-sharp daggers, they repeatedly stab the 25 year old man with such ferocity that poor Giuliano is dead even before he collapses onto the floor in a pool of blood. His older brother, Lorenzo, manages to escape the deadly blade of

an assassin’s knife. He flees into the sacristy, and when the coast is clear, his guards smuggle him home. Believing they have succeeded in overthrowing the Medici, the conspirators behind this evil plot ride through the streets shouting, “The tyrants are dead!” To their surprise, the good citizens of Florence were neither pleased nor impressed with their gruesome handiwork. The loyal Florentines gather around the Palazzo Medici on Via Larga. Who will rule the city if both Medici brothers are dead? When Lorenzo finally appears in a window, someone in the street shouts, “There he is!” and a sigh of relief echoes through the crowd. Florence’s most beloved son is alive! As if on cue, the people

chant, “Palle! Palle! Palle!” in reference to the familiar balls on the Medici crest. What happens next is right out of a mafia movie. When Lorenzo learns that a rival family, the Pazzi, conspired with his enemies (Archbishop Salviati of Pisa and Pope Sixtus IV) to overthrow him, he executes a brilliant vendetta. Lorenzo and his men storm the Signoria, taking the usurpers by surprise. The traitors were put to death in a most grizzly manner: defenestration from the highest windows. When news of this horrific spectacle reached the ears of Pazzi supporters, they tried to flee, but they were apprehended by the Medici clan and dragged back to Florence to face severe punishment. The corpses of the main perpetrators were strung up and publicly displayed outside the Signoria for several days. Their bloated, rotting bodies served as a clear warning to anyone who dared raise a hand against the Medici.

Commemorate Brunelleschi T

he figure of Brunelleschi is an essential part of the cultural identity of the city. After losing the commission of the doors of the Baptistry to Lorenzo Ghiberti, Brunelleschi secured the contract for the Dome. When meeting with a particularly skeptical commission, whose members

were not convinced a Dome could be built without the use of scaffolding, he brought an egg with him and asked every member of the commission to try to balance the egg so it would be standing up, which they obiouvsly found impossible. Brunelleschi then took the egg and

gently tapped it on the table until the bottom of the shell caved in, the egg standing up on the now flat base. Enraged, the commissioners replied that this was easy to do. With the contract in the right hands and with the correct plan and methods, the Dome could be built.

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Lorenzo Picchi EDITOR: William French GR APHIC & L AYOUT DESIGN: Narine Nalbandyan, Ekaterina Chebotareva CONTRIBUTORS: William French, Christine De Melo, Noelle Lamparelli, Thomas Ricciotti, Grace Keers, Hannah Nagle, Alex Park.

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Palazzo Pitti, Andito degli Angiolini March 25 – June 25

Principal Exhibits

Together with Louise Bourgeois and Joan Mitchell, Maria Lassnig (1919–2014) was one of the most important artists of the second half of the 20th century. Her painting is unique in terms of both style and content, her favourite theme being self-portraits with the external world serving as the vessel for a perception of the interior world.

• The Restoration of the Triptych with Nicolas Froment’s Raising of Lazarus Uffizi, Sala del Camino 7 March – April 30

• Plautilla Nelli. Art and Devotion in the Convent in Savonarola’s Footsteps

REGISTERED AT THE TRIBUNAL OF FLORENCE N. 6008, ON 9/12/2015. PUBLISHER: IAF PRINT: Rotostampa SRL, Florence

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www.florencenews.it • Maria Lassnig: Woman Power

Uffizi, Galleria delle Statue e delle Pitture March 9– June 4 The exhibition presents French painter Nicolas Froment’s triptych depicting the Raising of Lazarus following its restoration. Froment, of whom only a few works have survived, hailed from Picardy and worked in Provence for most of his career. Made in 1461, this painting is one of the most imposing pictures in the Gallerie degli Uffizi’s collection of work by foreign artists of the 15th century, testifying the interest that Italian art patrons had in northern European painting.

The rediscovery in Florence, Siena, Perugia and Assisi of a cycle of five paintings by painter and nun Plautilla Nelli (1522–88), all of them half-figure profile portraits of female Dominican saints, adds a new and important piece to the reconstruction of the artistic career of Nelli. The exhibit investigates the production of devotional images through various techniques, including the pouncing that nuns commonly used in their embroidery, perhaps the art form most typically and traditionally associat-

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• We Must Make Haste! March 2016 – 2017: Treasures Rescued and Treasures Still to Rescue Uffizi, Aula Magliabechiana March 28 – July 30 The exhibition presents masterpieces from villages, cities and towns of the Marche region struck by the recent earthquake, such as Ascoli Piceno, Fermo, and Macera-

ta. The choice of works on display is designed to provide the visitor with an overview of the development of art in the Marche region from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. • Leonardo da Vinci’s Magic Cosmos: The Adoration of the Magi Restored Uffizi, Galleria delle Statue e delle Pitture March 28– Sept. 24 Leonardo da Vinci’s Adoration of the Magi is returning to the Uffizi after 6-year restoration. Commissioned from Leonardo by the Austin Friars in 1481 for their church of San Donato a Scopeto, the painting, the largest of Leonardo’s surviving panel paintings (246 x 243 cm), was left unfinished after a lengthy preliminary study as Leonardo left for Milan in 1482. It was then stored in the palace of the Benci family in Florence before entering the Medici family’s collections. Its restoration did not just resolve a number of conservation issues, but also restored its unexpected colors and full readability.

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A Ferris Wheel Next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa

revolution may affect Pisa’s most famous monument, the Leaning Tower, as the city council revealed a plan to place a huge ferris wheel next to the tower. Their hope is to show that the city offers more than just the tower. The council has also said that there will be a three-month trial period this summer, after which the wheel might then be relocated on a permanent basis. The wheel will be almost as tall as the tower itself and just a five-minute walk from the landmark, the city’s cultural commissioner Andrea Ferrante said last month. Visitors will be able to see the tower from a unique angle this way, and also catch a glimpse of the Mediterranean coast. The idea encountered bitter crit-

icism as Mariarita Signorini, the Tuscan president of Italia Nostra, a leading organization for the protection of Italy’s cultural heritage, said that the wheel would not match the city’s architecture. “London has a very modern spirit, with skyscrapers and huge buildings,” she told the Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera, in reference to the success of London’s own giant wheel, the London Eye. “In the city of the tower, a wheel with a 50-metre diameter doesn’t make any sense.” However, the city of Pisa seems to have approved the project. “We can’t keep getting by with the Leaning Tower alone,” heritage councillor Salvatore Sanzo said, according to Ansa. “A giant wheel could make the difference.”

Digital Library

n Italian Digital Library is currently being created to showcase the wealth of images stored in 101 state archives and 46 state libraries. The initiative was announced last month at the Lincei Academy by the Minister of goods and cultural activities, Dario Franceschini, who stated that the proj-

ect has “enormous economic and cultural value in the era of network” and that it “will be funded by two million Euros.” The Central Institute for Cataloging and Documentation of MiBACT will be responsible for the development and coordination of this digitization;

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The Return of a Masterpiece

Leonardo’s Adoration of the Magi back in the Uffizi WILLIAM FRENCH

eonardo da Vinci’s lauded masterpiece Adoration of the Magi (1481) has returned to the Gallerie degli Uffizi after 6 years of restoration at the Opificio delle Pietre Dure conservation center. Displayed alongside Filippino Lippi’s replacement of the Adoration of the Magi from 1496, the panel painting is the center of the exhibition entitled Leonardo da Vinci’s Magic Cosmos: the Adoration of the Magi Restored, which was inaugurated on March 28. This curatorial choice was made for the purpose of informing the public about the political and cultural shift that happened in the span of a single decade, as well as to distinguish the stylistic differences between these two Renaissance masters. The painting, larger than twosquare meters, is a chief example of Leonardo’s early work, and depicts the Virgin Mary in the foreground with the infant Jesus, arranged in the artist’s signature triangular shape, surrounded by a semicircle of visitors; while in the background one observes a battle on horseback, a ruinous pagan building, the sketch of rocky landscape. In addition, according to some of the more controversial art historians, the young shepherd boy in the bottom

right corner, facing away from the crowd, can perhaps be considered a self-portrait. Commissioned by the Augustinian monks of the church of San Donato a Scopeto to make an altarpiece, Leonardo abandoned the work when he moved from Florence

to the court of Milan. Thus, the monks recruited Filippino Lippi to make a replacement. A century later, it made its way into the Medici collection. Leonardo da Vinci’s Magic Cosmos: the Adoration of the Magi Restored will run until Sept 24.

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Exhibit at Palazzo Strozzi March 10-July 23. ALEX PARK

urated by Palazzo Strozzi’s director Arturo Galansino and Bill Viola Studio’s executive director Kira Perov, Electronic Renaissance reviews Viola’s career, marked by a combination of technological research and aesthetic reflection, from his 1970’s early video experiments to his large installations of the 2010s famous for their impact on the senses. Born in New York in 1951, Viola is an unchallenged master of video art whose fame is rooted in his productions of video installation, sound environments, and performances, which offers a profound

immersion in space, image, and sound. His art explores the spirituality, experience and perception of

mankind by understanding bodies that interact with forces of nature such as water and fire, light and

“I am very happy to be returning to my Italian roots and to have this amazing opportunity to repay my debt to the great city of Florence with an offering of my work. Living and working in Florence in the 1970s, I never thought I would have the honor to show in such a distinguished institution as the Palazzo Strozzi.”

dark, and the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. The Renaissance context of Palazzo Strozzi fuels a ‘dialogue’ between the classic and the contemporary through the juxtaposition of Viola’s work with masterpieces of the past that have inspired Viola and marked the development of his style. The exhibits is also an opportunity for the artist to return to his roots. In fact, it was in Florence that Viola developed his career as a video artist at the Art/Tapes/22, a center for video production and documentation, active in Florence from 1974 to 1976 under the direction of Maria Gloria Conti Bicocchi. Palazzo Strozzi will also extend the experience of the exhibition to other locations in Florence and Tuscany thanks to partnerships with other museums and venues such as the Uffizi Gallery, the Santa Maria Novella Church Museum in Florence, the St. Andrea Church Museum in Empoli, and the Great Museum of Florence Dome Museo, where visitors can purchase a combined ticket to visit the Palazzo Strozzi exhibit together with the Baptistry of San Giovanni and the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. The latter will be hosting Bill Viola’s Observance (2002) and Acceptance (2008), on display to create a ‘dialogue’ with two of the museum’s iconic masterpieces: Donatello’s Penitent Magdalen and Michelangelo’s Bandini Pietà. Internationally recognized as one of the leading artists of our time, Viola has created a wide range of media works that are displayed in

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major museums throughout the world. His ideas focus on universal human experiences–birth, death, the unfolding of consciousness– and have roots in both Eastern and Western art as well as spiritual traditions, including Zen Buddhism, Islamic Sufism, and Christian mysticism. Viola represented the US at the Venice Biennale in 1995. Other key solo exhibitions include; Bill Viola: A 25-Year Survey organized by the Whitney Museum of American Art (1997); The Passions at the J.Paul Getty Museum (2003); Hatsu- Yume (First Dream) at the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo in 2006; Bill Viola, visioni interiori at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni, 2008; and Bill Viola, Grand Palais, Paris 2014. Two major installations, Martyrs (Earth, Air, Fire, Water) (2014), and Mary (2016) are permanently on view at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, on loan from Tate.

Bill Viola. Electronic Renaissance Palazzo Strozzi March 10 to July 23 Exhibition opening hours Daily including holidays 10.00-20.00 Thursdays: 10.00-23.00 Reservations From Monday to Friday 9.0013.00/14.00-18.00 Tel +39 055 2469600 prenotazioni@palazzostrozzi.org

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Exhibiting Models of Leonardo’s Designs

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The Fables of Leonardo da Vinci The Fables of Leonardo da Vinci is a small collection of fables created from notations for fables and half-finished fable ideas found in the back of Leonardo’s famous notebooks. The collection teaches how little stories can drive home insightful human ironies, while displaying a bit of the literary thought-processes of the great genius. Oneof-a-kind, this book is an attempt to reveal something of da Vinci’s inner moral core, celebrating such virtues as humility, self-sacrifice and egalitarianism; and those deploring pretension, pomposity and dogmatism. Published March, 2011 by Roseheart Publishing, USA.

The Ant and the Sesame Seed

he exhibit presents working models of Leonardo’s designs that the Niccolai family has been reconstructing since 1995, when Carlo Niccolai dedicated himself to working full-time with the desire to realise Leonardo’s legacy. His passion founded the Niccolai Collection, the largest private collection of Leonardo models in the world, comprised of more than 300 working models created by himself and his sons, together with a team of artisans, engineers, historians and architects. The models have been displayed at more than 100 international exhibitions throughout Europe and as far afield as Australia, New Zea-

land, China, the US, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Finland. The exhibit also displays copies of six codices that reveal the inner workings of this great man’s mind. The Niccolai family has been widely praised for their ongoing devotion in realising the vast inheritance that Leonardo left to science.

Le Macchine di Leonardo da Vinci Via Cavour 21 www.macchinedileonardo.com

Far, far away, there was a valley wracked by drought. The small ponds and rivers dried up and became hard and crusty as stone. The land was burnt and barren. The crops were so parched that none survived, and there were no new seeds to grow. Food for all the creatures in the valley disappeared. Except for one tiny Sesame seed. A weary and hungry ant, who had been searching this valley for food for many days, came upon the very last Sesame seed to survive. The ant couldn’t believe his good fortune. Without delay, the ant lifted the Sesame seed easily to his shoulders and began the long journey back to his hill. After his six sturdy legs had taken only a few paces, the Sesame seed spoke: “Ant, can you hear me?” The ant could hear the Sesame seed very well, since it was not far from his antennae. “What could

you possibly want?” the ant asked without slowing his pace. “I want to ask a favor,” the Sesame seed said. “What favor?” the ant asked. “Please don’t trouble me. I have a long way to go, and I will need you for food for my journey.” “I am the last Sesame seed in the valley.” “Yes, and I’ve had the good fortune to discover you.” “If you leave me and don’t eat me, I can fulfil my destiny, and then you will have an abundance of food for many generations of ants to come.” “But my fellow soldiers, they are hungry now. They have sent me, who hasn’t returned with provisions for many weeks, to return with food for all.” “But how long will I last? I’m only a small Sesame seed. An army has a huge hunger.” “If I let you live, I will die out here,” the ant explained.

‘If you will do me the great favor of allowing me to fulfil my fate to germinate, I will give you of myself a hundredfold. And your army will have food for many generations to come.’ The ant had to make the most important decision of his life. Suddenly he began to cry. He cried because he knew he would never see his fellow soldiers again. And his tears watered the Sesame seed like rain. And the Sesame seed began to push out tiny roots into the dry earth. The ant could see what was happening, and he realized that his decision had been made for him. He would let the Sesame seed grow into a tall and health crop that could restore food to the ant’s army and eventually to the entire valley. And so it was that the ant, by sacrificing himself, made it possible to save many.

Author: Ed Tasca is an award-winning humor writer and novelist, and a student of da Vinci’s extraordinary life. This little book of fables is a homage to that writing genre, offering readers of every age a taste of the simplicity and clarity of one of man’s oldest and most revered forms of fiction writing. Author’s email: edtasca@gmail.com

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Galleria Il Ponte Presents Giulio Turcato

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Remembering the Florence Flood with Paper and Stone

Exhibit runs until April 14

Exhibit on display at Palazzo Medici Riccardi

alleria Il Ponte presents Inventare spazi (Inventing Spaces), an exhibition dedicated to Giulio Turcato (1912-1995), a painter considered one of the greatest representatives of Italian abstract and informal art. Among the promoters of the Art Club (1945) and Forma I (1947), the Fronte Nuovo delle Arti, Gruppo degli Otto (1950) and Continuità (1960), Turcato boasted a vast number of shows at the most prominent institutions and galleries in Italy and abroad during his long and fruitful career. This solo exhibition showcases two series of works: the Tranquillanti

(Tranquilizers), from 1961 and the Superfici lunari (Moon Surfaces) from 1964, which were exhibited in 1966 at the Venice Biennale. Introduced by the two Superfici malate (Diseased Surfaces) from 1957 and 1961, with their taches on a monochrome surface, the lounge room features La porta (The Door), a sculpture from 1973, five works on paper from 1961, and Ricordo di New York (Memory of New York) from 1963. When they made their first appearance at Galleria Il Canale in Venice in 1961, the Tranquillanti compositions – paintings and collages of tranquilizer pills on canvas – caused a sensation.

alazzo Medici Riccardi is hosting an exhibition by two artists, Meiko Yokoyama and Lituana Di Sabatino, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Florence flood from April 11 to 17. The concept of the exhibit comes from the Japanese paper discovered by western researchers as one of the best materials to repair the damaged artworks. Artisan and artist Lituana Di Sabatino, with the help of her assistant Satomi Koyama, is presenting a series of mosaics created with the antique Florentine technique of assembling hard stone sections known as the Mosaico Fiorentino. Stones are selected for their colors and shades and then hand-cut with the combined action of a wooden arc with a wire and the use of powder. They are subsequently arranged and polished. This technique from the Romanesque period in Florence still survives in artisanal shops. In her studio, Di Sabatino fashions originals and reproductions of ancient mosaics works, continuing to refine her own techniques and simultaneously handing down the secrets of this art to students and enthusiasts. On display will be a

series of mosaics by Di Sabatino on subjects inspired by Japanese culture. Meiko Yokoyama uses solely used traditional Japanese cut and layered together to create a plethora of colors and shades, forging suggestive representations characterized by a fascinating play of light. Yokoyama has also developed the idea of backlighting these images in such a way that, according to their illumination, they are transformed, giving rise to innovative lines and figures, bringing about the most elegant symbiosis between paper and light. Confronting this blend of tradition and technology, one can not possibly remain indifferent.

The exhibition will be enriched by both pictures and text that describe the development of the exposed mosaics from the initial design, the cut, until the finished composition. The inauguration will be accompanied by a brief presentation of the two artists, a buffet to delight visitors, and will take place on April 11 at 6:30 p.m .

Fioritura dell’Arte nella Carta e nella Pietra Palazzo Medici Riccardi Via dei Ginori 14, Florence April 11-17, Opening hours: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. (including Wednesday)

Inaugurazione 11 aprile ore 18

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Mostra Internationale dell’Artigianato Tributes the U.S.

APRIL www.florencenews.it daily from 10 a.m. Until 10:30 p.m. Ticket prices are 6 euro on weekends and 4 euro on weekdays. Free admission is granted for children under 12, accompanists of disabled people, and group couriers – minimum 10 people. Tickets are

available at the Fair ticket office near the main entrances. For possible variations and more information, including directions to the Fortezza da Bazzo, see www.mostraartigianato.it/en/

HOW TO GET THERE By car: the Fortezza da Basso is only 4 km away from the A1 motorway (exit at Firenze Nord) By bus: Final stop of ATAF & LI-NEA and Tramway in Piazza della Stazione By train: Santa Maria Novella Central Railway Station, just a few steps away from the exhibiting area From the airport: from the Amerigo Vespucci Airport (4 km distance), connected to the city centre through a shuttle bus service. Car Parking service: Fortezza Fiera Car Parking (access to the Fair from Porta Soccorso alla Campagna - Piazzale Caduti nei Lager – S.M.N Railway Station Car Parking Facilities include self service restaurants, bar, information desk, relax areas, meeting and convention halls, press room, bank branch, cash machine, logistic services support.

he Fortezza da Basso is hosting the annual Mostra Internazionale dell’Artigianato from April 22 through May 1. The event marks the 81th anniversary of the fair. The exhibit is divided in three main areas and will showcase handiworks of artisans from over 50 countries around the world. The first is the “Italian Handicraft,” which displays the best arts and crafts from all the Italian regions, carefully selected so as to show both traditional and more innovative works. Products on show in-

clude clothing, accessories, furniture, design, jewelry and regional food and wine. The “International Handicraft” section consists of a large area devoted to showcasing exclusive food and wine marked by the typical craftsmanship of the various countries. A special section will be reserved for the exhibition of typical products and cultural traditions from United States, the country guest this year. Inaugurated in 1931, The Handicrafts Trade Fair was originally

born as an extension of the Florence Corporations of Workers. Following the war break-out, it became the center of attention in the world of high quality handicraft products between the 50’s and 60’s, in the years of the Italian economic boom. The event takes place in one of the most important Medicean monuments of the city, the Fortezza da Basso, built and designed by Antonio da Sangallo for Alessandro de’Medici in 1536 and served as the fortress for Florence. Mostra Artigianato will be open

12 Florence News

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Florence Creativity Returns

reativity never ends, especially at the spring edition of the Florence Creativity festival taking place at the Fortezza da Basso May 11-13. The fair, now in its sixth year, includes events, courses and expositors presenting new ideas, techniques and materials, and is a not-to-miss event for all of those who feel passion in their hands and those who are interested in developing and investing in the art of 'do-it-yourself.’ Fabrics, buttons, paints, brushes, needles, threads, glues and paper will be the tools through which anyone will be able to stimulate his or her creativity. The courses offered include painting on silk with

all its techniques, home decor, cutting, sewing, creative sewing, crochet, knitting, repairs, weaving for children and adults alike, creative workshops for children, creating bracelets, bijoux and necklaces, processing wool, painting and so on, as infinite are the ways human creativity can express itself. One of the initiatives that was at the last edition that thrilled the most was the Creative Zoo, a panel to create a zoo following given patterns that can be downloaded from the fair website: www.florencecreativity.it. Tickets cost €10 for adults and €5 for children. A ticket for the four days of the fair cost €16. Entrance is free for children younger than 10

and for accompanies or disables. Groups of more than 10 people will pay €5, for each group bigger than 20 people, a free ticket will be given to the organizer. Those interested in becoming expositors can find a form in the fair website. Opening hours at the event are from 9.30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Florence Creativity Fortezza da Basso May 11-13 9:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. www.florencecreativity.it

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Celebrate Europe with Music T

he European University Institute is joining an initiative of Italy’s Presidency of the Council of Ministers to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome with a series of cultural, academic and sporting events through 2017. Signed on March 25, 1957, the Treaties of Rome established the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM). The first Treaty, signed by high representatives from Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany, brought

into existence the European Economic Community, also known as the Common Market. While its immediate objectives were to integrate trade and strengthen the economies of the area, one of its underlying political desires was to ‘lay the foundations of an ever closer union among the people of Europe’. The EURATOM treaty instead was meant to contribute to the formation and development of Europe’s nuclear industries so that all the Member States could benefit from the development of atomic ener-

gy and that the security of supply would be ensured. In 1972, representatives of these same six countries would sign the Convention establishing the European University Institute. As stated in Article 2 of the convention, ‘The aim of the Institute shall be to contribute, by its activities in the fields of higher education and research, to the development of the cultural and scientific heritage of Europe […] It shall take into account Europe’s cultural and linguistic pluralism and relations with cultures outside Europe.’

The program of the Florentine concerts: Friday, April 7 Harold Acton Library, British Institute of Florence (Lungarno Guicciardini, 9), 6-7:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 18 Le Murate Caffè Letterario (Piazza delle Murate), 8-9:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 6 Villa Salviati (Via Bolognese, 156). Orchestra Cupiditas directed by Pietro Mazzetti

Friday, May 26 Centro de Lengua Española (Borgo Ognissanti, 9), 8-9:30 p.m.

Tenor: Stuart Patterson Piano: Nina Uhari

Datura Brass

Guitar: Gabriele Putzulu

Director: Pietro Mazzetti Piano: Antonino Siringo

EUE to Host State of the Union Conference

he State of the Union conference is returning to the European University Institute May 4-6. Registration for the event, which revolves around European citizenship under the title Building a People’s Europe, is currently open. The program features the three Presidents of the European Institutions and the EC’s ‘Chief Brexit Negotiator’, who will discuss the most pressing issues facing Europe today. On Thursday May 4, sessions will take place at the European University Institute. The President of the Italian Senate and former anti-mafia magistrate Pietro Grasso will give the opening address. On Frida May 5, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Angelino Alfano will introduce a day of debate at the Palazzo Vecchio. The Italian Prime Minister, Paolo Gentiloni, will close the conference. The three Presidents of the European Institutions, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, European Parliament President Antonio Tajani and European Council President Donald Tusk, will also address the conference, and European Commission ‘Chief Brexit Negotiator’ Michel Barnier will deliver his first public speech on Brexit, shortly after the UK government will trigger Article 50.Among the others speakers are European Commission Vice-President Federica Mogherini, Com-

missioners Tibor Navracsics and Vera Jourova, European Parliament Vice-President Mairead McGuinness and the President of the European Investment Bank Werner Hoyer. The Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid will talk about Estonia’s fast-approaching presidency of the Council of the European Union. ‘The annual State of the Union conference takes place at a particularly complex historical moment,’ says Renaud Dehousse, President of the European University Institute. ‘Rarely in the past has the European Union been confronted by so many pressing issues at one time. The current state of affairs renders the engagement between scholars and policy-makers, already a hallmark of The State of the Union, all the more timely.’ This year’s theme of European citizenship encompasses several issues of acute relevance for the future of Europe such as the migration crisis, referendums and their consequences, the future of European citizenship, social solidarity and the free movement of people, economic and monetary integration, and state secrecy and security in Europe. As part of the official calendar marking the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, this year’s edition of The State of the Union offers an occasion to reflect on the past and future of Europe.

In Florence there is a new pharmacy

Cavour Come to visit us. You will find a wide range of skincare products dedicated to you. Ask your pharmacist for advice.

Lloyds Farmacia Cavour Via Cavour, 59/R Firenze We are open for you: Monday to Saturday 9.00 - 20.00

NEW GYM NEAR SANTA MARIA NOVELLA Brand new gym in the heart of Florence is now open. • Fully outfitted with the latest cardio & strength equipment from Technogym • Offering a wide array of classes ranging from Zumba to Pilates, every week • All-inclusive memberships with no sign-up fees • Special pricing for students • Friendly English-speaking staff • Free wi-fi Mon. to Fri.: 8 a.m.-10 p.m, Saturday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m, Sunday: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Via dei Fossi, 56/r 055 23 96 497

THE ITALIAN FASHION OUTLET ON VIA DEI NERI Via dei Neri 88/r

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Florence News 15

CITY BEAT

Half Marathon Returns April 9 stakeholders, such as sponsors, contractors, charities, competitors and audience, to take up sustainability initiatives. Registration costs span from € 20 to € 27 for the half marathon and €5 for the non-competitive run and walking course. It can all be done at the website www.halfmarathonfirenze.it. Registration for the Tommasino Run race is free and open from 7-9 a.m. on the day.

Half Marathon – The classic Half Marathon (21,097 km) – Non competitive race (10 km)

he 34th international Half Marathon Vivicittà will take place on Sunday, April 9. With participants ranging from running enthusiasts to families with children and runners from all over the world, the Half Marathon has become one of the most important sporting events in Florence. Runners can choose between a half marathon, suggested for professional and amateur athletes, and a 10-kilometer, non-competitive run, which is open to all. Both start at Santa Croce and course through the Oltrarno, leading

back to Piazza della Signoria and the Duomo. Other options are the 5-kilometer walking course or the 1.5-kilometer Tommasino Run, a charity race for children. All of the Half Marathon Firenze Vivicittà’s courses are paved and flat. The marathon has a ‘village’, a site of various sporting events and fun activities, in Piazza Santa Croce. Participants will receive a t-shirt and gadgets. Vivicittà also hosts a charity event every year and the organization makes efforts to be eco-friendly. It strives to minimize its environmental impact and encourage its

Walking (5 km) Kids race “Tommasino Run” (1,5 km) Sunday, April 9 Half Marathon Village, Piazza Santa Croce www.halfmarathonfirenze.it

Istituto Prosperius Medical Centre E

xaminations and specialist consults without prescription At Prosperius it is possible to book a consult with a specialist and diagnostic tests without having to wait and without a prescription. Over the last few years, Prosperius has become a popular health centre among tourists and foreigners staying in the city who need health services, blood tests, and specialist consults. In addition to easy access to medical services, foreign patients can also take advantage of their health insurance and receive a regular invoice. Sports fitness certificates Whether you intend to run a marathon or join an aerobics lesson, in Italy you must have a good health and fitness certificate. Before commencing any sports activities, it is recommended to get a medical check-up to verify one’s health condition and avoid the risk of incurring minor or even serious pathologies. You need a Medical Assistance? Specialist visits as cardiology, gynecology, eye care, dermatology, ENT, etc.

aminations: blood-test, X-ray, ultrasound, dopler, MRI (scanner), etc. Rehabilitation for traumatic situations and not. Where is Prosperius The address is viale Fratelli Rosselli 60-62 and is open from 7:30 AM-7:30 PM Monday to Friday and Saturday 7:30 AM-12:30 AM. Call us at: 0039-055-2381634. www.prosperius.it Professionalism, quality, technology and kindness The Institute also provides medical home care services 24/7 with the following number: 0039-338-8941809, from which one can make an appointment for the visit and test. The Institute offers high professionalism, quality, technology and kindness.

Your tests In the clinic you can do any ex-

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Neurology and Neuro Surgery Nutritionists Eye Specialist Orthopaedics Nose and throat specialist Pneumology Psychiatrics Psychology Radiology Pain Therapy Urology CONTACTS

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16 Florence News

CULTURE

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Awaiting the Final Moment

Accademia Italiana Presents Final Show

Siena hosts photography exhibit on death penalty

RACHEL O’DONNELL

Special theme of this year is “The Game”

he Santa Maria della Scala Museum in Siena is hosting the exhibit Ten Years and Eighty-Seven Days by Luisa Menazzi Moretti, one of the most famous Italian photographers, from April 13 to June 4. The exhibit, whose title refers to the average time of a prisoner from the his detention to the execution, highlights the conditions of death row prisoners in Livingston, Texas, giving insight to their emotional downfall. On display are 17 large photographs and 9 texts selected from letters or interviews of prisoners on death row in a small prison in Livingston, Texas. Menazzi Moretti chose this location because near her hometown, Hunstsville, and because of the significance Texas plays with regard to the death penalty, since Livingston prison holds the record for the highest amount of people executed among all the democratic nations of the Western world, and Texas is the state with most executions in the United States. The photographer dialogues with her subjects. “My pictures are the result of their words: I shot them also thinking about those who are left, keeping in mind the families of those who were executed. I do not want to

deny the cruelty and harshness that often reveals the crimes or highlights, in other circumstances, the absence of cruelty. In both cases, and in the countless shades of every single episode, I ask myself: what are the feelings and reasons that in the XXI Century, in the rich and advanced Texas, justify such a barbaric practice as lethal execution?” said Moretti. Menazzi Moretti transfigures the existence of those counting down minutes to their final moment. “Luisa Menazzi Moretti doesn’t document or interpret these existences, she transfigures them. She gets into them, filters them through her own

sensibility and restores them, giving shape to the thoughts, feelings and emotions that she experiences through the thoughts, feelings and emotions not of outcasts with a sell-by date but rather human beings who, despite everything, still exist,” said Daniele Pitteri, director of the Santa Maria della Scala museum. Menazzi Moretti has achieved worldwide success in Berlin at the European Month of Photography in 2016 as well as the Honorable mention Award received by the International Photography Awards in 2016. It is the first time that the exhibit is on display in Italy.

he annual fashion show from the students of Accademia Italiana is taking place on April 21st at the Obihall Theater in Florence. On display will be 180 outfits on the catwalk designed and sewn by hand by 30 students. During the show, this year’s Pyramid of Excellence award will be given to designer Stefano Ricci. Playing with materials and colors, making fun of film directors such as Fellini and Wes Anderson, ransacking childhood memories and reinventing the oversized sweater, all brought this year’s theme to be, “the Game,” a theme that has been interpreted in various ways by the Accademia students. Young designers will play with gender identity, fantasize with tulle and pastel colors, dust off childhood photo albums to find soft, comfortable playsuits from their infancy and transform quilts into evening gowns. Silicone and

leather, natural fabrics like cotton and linen abound in the collections that this year dedicate 30% to menswear, reflecting the market trend. From minimalism to science fiction, humor and audacity are the underlying themes of the glamorous event for the Florentine school in Piazza Pitti, which first opened its doors in 1984 and has since then, in the words of Accademia Italiana’s president Vincenzo Giubba, “seen the role of leadership in Florence grow, which over the years has become increasingly more important for the creative training of the younger generations.” The event is also an important moment for the students of design, graphic art and photography who will inaugurate a show of their works in a separate location on April 18, with Philippe Daverio from the University of Palermo, Sicily, opening the exhibit.

30 COURSE APERITIVO

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Vicolo di S. Maria Maggiore, 1 055 29 08 76 www.ristorantequinoa.it

A Week for Bob Dylan

Florence News

NEWS

A Shuttle to the Barberino Designer Outlet Located in the green heart of Tuscany, just 30 minutes from Florence, Barberino Designer Outlet is the shopping destination where you can browse items from 200 of the most luxurious designer fashion brands including Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors, Hugo Boss, Polo Ralph Lauren, Nike, Patrizia Pepe and many more at 30-70% less all year round. You can reach Barberino Designer Outlet with a comfortable shuttle bus service from Florence train station, 4 times a day. Tickets can be purchased online. Price is €13 per person, roundtrip. Take this page to the Outlet Information Office to get the FASHION PASSPORT, the discount card which will grant you an additional 10% reduction on the Outlet price. Shuttle bus to Barberino Designer Outlet departs from Florence Santa Maria Novella train station at 9.30 a.m. –11.30 a.m. –2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Meeting Point 15 minutes before bus departure at Sightseeing Experience Visitor Centre on Platform 16. Return to Florence at: 1.00 p.m. – 3.00 p.m. – 6.00 p.m. – 8.00p.m. For more information visit www.mcarthurglen.it/barberino TAX FREE ON YOUR FAVORITE BRANDS

Join our events to meet other fellow expats and locals

www.internations.org

he cultural associations Contemporary and Don Milani are presenting a week dedicated to Bob Dylan May 17-24. The event hits its sixth anniversary this year. Free concerts, conferences, figurative art exhibits, readings, and a show by local band Acquaraggia will act as an homage one of the most important artist of the XX

century, a songwriter and poet recently awarded with the Nobel prize for literature. Among the special guests will be one of the leading worldwide experts on Bob Dylan, American Professor Greil Marcus. Foreign artists that will perform live include Cliff Edwards (Canada), Noah Kite (Oregon Usa), Kenny Wilson (Leicester U.K.).

PINART BOTTEGA D’OLTRARNO

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Open: Mon–Sat: 10 a.m.–7:30 p.m.; Sun: 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Via Guicciardini, 2/r 055 23 98 450 www.pinart.it

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Easter Fires

The history behind the ‘Scoppio del Carro’

Florence News 19

CULTURE itself. The cart embarks on a procession through the streets pulled by big white oxen, accompanied by hoards of crowds dressed in 15th century attire, musicians and flag throwers. Thanks to modern technology, the simple cart fire has now been enhanced by an elaborate firework display that the Archbishop of Florence ignites directly from the nave of the Duomo, where the cart ends its journey through the city.

py Easter. It is said that if the fireworks are enjoyed without any glitches, the city and its people can expect a good harvest for the year. Hence, it is an extremely popular event. In order to secure a good position amongst the thronging crowds that can reach up to 10,000, it is vital to get there early in the day. This year Easter Sunday falls on April 16, and the fireworks will begin at 11 a.m, accompanied by a

On Easter Sunday a cart packed full of fireworks will be ignited resulting in a 20-minute pyrotechnical display. The practice originated during the first crusade when Europeans laid seige to the city of Jeruesalem in an attempt to claim Palestine for Christianity.

Photo credits: flickr user Monica Kelly

n Easter Sunday a cart packed full of fireworks will be ignited resulting in a 20-minute pyrotechnical display. The practice originated during the first crusade when Europeans laid seige to the city of Jeruesalem in an attempt to claim Palestine for Christianity. It was exactly in 1097 that Pazzino

de’ Pazzi returned from the crusades in Jerusalem and presented his city with three flint stones from the Holy Sepulchre and told the people of Florence to use these stones to light a ‘holy fire’ on a cart, or as it is often nicknamed, ‘Brindellone,’ (tall and wobbly), to celebrate Christianity at Easter time.

This ritual has continued ever since, but has naturally developed over the years, and now is one of the most exciting and impressive spectacles in Florence. Pazzino’s original flint stones are rubbed together and used to light the Easter candle; the candle is then used to light the cart

A dove shaped rocket is lit by the Archbishop which darts along a steel wire from the high altar to the cart outside, setting off the awaiting celebratory fireworks between the main door of the Duomo and the Baptistery. This jubilant explosion ends the solemn tone of the cart’s Easter morning procession through Florence. Symbolically the modern fireworks that can be seen throughout the whole city spread the ‘holy fire’ to all, wishing everyone who can see them a Hap-

beautiful rendition of ‘Gloria in Excelsis Deo’ from the Duomo; however, the atmosphere surrounding such a long standing tradition will surely be worth soaking up even before the fireworks begin. While the day reminds Florentines of their country’s profound Catholic roots, it also celebrates its past military success in the first crusade to the holy land, making the ‘Explosion of the Cart’ an especially festive and celebratory occasion, completely unique to Florence.

20 Florence News

HISTORY

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Liberation Day

Understanding the historical significance of April 25 NATALIA PIOMBINO

ix years ago, on the occasion of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Italian state, as many recalled the Risorgimento, the historical process that led to Italy’s unification, it became

evident that the values of honor, sanctity, and family that inspired this nation-building movement could not be considered today as the foundation of Italians’ sense of belonging. On the other hand, in the wake of Habermas’ thought, a ‘constitutional patriotism’ (that is, the need to identify the Republican Constitution as the source of our allegiance to the nation), seems closer to our sensibilities. This constitutional pact is therefore that which unites us and the ethics of anti-Fascism represent a ‘civic

religion’ that in turn makes us a community. At least from the early ‘90s (a period when there was a strong request for pacification of national memory), anti-Fascism and the Resistance were the subjects of revisionist interpretations that considered anti-Fascist partisans and Fascist

fighters of the Italian Republic of Salò (RSI) patriots in the same way. Furthermore, this revisionism has also attempted to undermine the concept of anti-Fascism as the source of national identity and sentiment. Instead, anti-Fascism should be emphasized as not only an integral part of the Italian Constitution, but as its fundamental feature, its bedrock. Today, our Constitution is understood as the fruits of the remarkable, visionary capacity of the Republic’s founding fathers. Within it, there are references to concepts

such as ‘social utility,’ and ‘social purpose;’ concepts proclaiming the superiority of the general interest of the public and the configuration of a state whose guiding principle is constituted by bene comune, or common good. The fundamental rights (beni comuni) indicated within the Constitution as those deserving protection, include labor, health, education, equality and liberty, namely all ‘goods’ that affect each of us. It is therefore evident that the attacks on the Constitution and its cardinal principles impact us all. The Constitution most certainly needs to be upheld, yet not in a manner that distorts its guiding principles, but instead in a way in which these principles are implemented. Unfortunately, the amendments to the Constitution that have been proposed and advocated by several factions (one example being the hypotheses of presidentialism) tend to erode – behind a veneer of efficiency – the democratic equilibrium that the document outlined and to prefigure an authoritarian drift. In other instances, such revisions resulted in a relinquishment of sovereignty in favour of super national entities, as has recently occurred (in the realm of control of our public finances) with the amendment of ART.81. Revisionism and negationism have

made it possible to underestimate the threat of Fascism and have allowed the diffusion of a dangerous belief pertaining to the existence of a ‘good’ or ‘acceptable’ Fascism; this has thus paved the way for associations like Casa Pound – a fascist, xenophobic and sexist association – which has opened headquarters in many Italian cities including Florence, where, in December 2012, an activist associated with Casa Pound shot and killed Modou Samb and Mor Diop and wounded three other members of the city’s Senegalese community. A ‘constitutional patriotism,’ a patriotism that entails inclusion without homologation, can be an antidote to the anti-liberal, anti-union, and xenophobic currents that have infiltrated our society. In fact, the link between April 25 – that is to say anti-Fascism – and the Constitution is inseparable. It’s not by chance that the legal schol-

ar Piero Calamandrei asserted that our Constitution was born in the mountains, a product of the partisan struggle against Fascism. April 25 embodies the re-foundation of Italy thanks to the Resistance; the best part of the country – that for once emerged victorious – sought a more just, democratic society and found later, in the Constitution, the codification of its vision of civic life and its own conception of citizenship. In Florence, the ANPI (National Association of Italian Partisans), college students, and the Circolo ARCI S. Nicolò, have for many years organized an ‘anti-Fascist’ lunch in a city square on April 25. Far from rhetorical celebrations, these lunches present an opportunity for a festive gathering, an occasion to reclaim public space and promote the idea of active citizenship centered on the idea of the common good.

Fashion Online S

hoppingscanner is a search engine for clothes and accessories for women, men and children, cosmetics and house decor. Easy to manage, it uses tools and filters such as price range, discount percentage, color, size or name of the product, brand, keyword. One can also navigate within the categories and find a series of tips and outfits that are in the trend section. Shoppingscanner has currently four versions: Italian (.it), French (.fr), English (.uk) and American (.com) and nearly 1,000,000 products per site from over 60 of the best Italian, European and American stores. The website gets about 400,000 visitors per month. “We’ve created this search engine that can browse the best online stores and filter products according to brand, price range, discount, color and size. We want shopping online to be easier for everyone. We’re working hard to perfect it. Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening,” say Laura Cappelletti and Alessandra Massaini , co-founder s of the platform.

www.shoppingscanner.it/com/fr/uk

THE RESTAURANT OF THE FLORENTINES

Sunday Brunch

GLUTEN FREE Reservation is strongly recommended

RISTORANTE QUINOA Vicolo di S. Maria Maggiore, 1 055 29 08 76 www.ristorantequinoa.it

Located on Via Ghibellina near Santa Croce, Da Que’ Ganzi offers a fresh seafood and meat menu for both lunch and dinner. Tuscan specialties include ribollita and authentic Florentine steak, and all of the cakes and sweets are homemade. A special weekday lunch menu for less than €10 makes the restaurant affordable for anyone. Special dishes: BAKED SEA BASS & TUSCAN STEAK Mon. to Sun.: 12–2:30 p.m. & 7–11:30 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays. Via Ghibellina, 70/r •055 22 60 010 www.daqueiganzi.it • info@daqueiganzi.it

22 Florence News

MUSIC

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A ‘Port’ for For All Awaiting Radiohead, Musicians Aerosmith, Jamiroquai and System of a Down A s with any port, Porto di Mare-Eskimo is synonymous with exchange, correspondence, and coming and going. This year the club has an important novelty: courses of typical Italian dance Tarantella, which will be taking place on Friday night. Porto di Mare's focus on live music and cultural exchange is one that the man who started the club, Francesco Cofone, holds close to his heart.

ALEX PARK

usic festivals and concerts are on their way to Florence this summer. Radiohead, the English alternative band, will be playing a show at the Visarno Arena in Parco Delle Cascine. The band has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide and are known for their hit albums and singles including “Creep” and “Just,” while still producing new music. Rock fans will be further enthused by the Firenze Rocks Festival from June 23 to June 25 headlined by classic rock legends, Aerosmith, and Pearl Jam’s frontman, Eddie Vedder. Aerosmith is the best-selling American hard rock band of all time, having sold more than 150 million records worldwide, including over 70 million records in the United States

alone. The grunge singer, Eddie Vedder is concluding his solo European tour in Italy, and will be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Pearl Jam on April 7, 2017. These rock giants will be accompanied by more modern rock bands like System of a Down, the Cranberries, and Placebo, who have also reached great success internationally. Last, and certainly not least, Firenze Summer Festival will be taking place in July. The English rock band, The XX, will begin the festival after the January release of their 3rd studio album, “I See You.” For those seeking something other than rock, the soulful funk, dance band Jamiroquai will be performing on July 11. To close the festival, the superstar indie rock band, “Arcade Fire” will perform as part of their summer European tour on July 18.

band born under the initiative of Francesco, it includes some of the biggest and respected names on the jazz scene amongst its members. Among these are trumpeter and band conductor Fabio Morgera, who played under legendary American jazz cornetist; composer and conductor Butch Morris for 30 years in New York; Dario Cecchini, sax and leader of Italian marching band Funk Off; trumpeter Luca Marianini; trombone player Ste-

Porto di Mare THE PORT OPEN TO ALL MUSICIANS TUES: PALCO D’AUTORE: Music lab for emerging artists and songwriters WED: CITY LAB PROJECT: Musicians forming an orchestra will accompany the Palco D’Autore artists THURS: CAM’ ON: Students from the school of music CAM exhibit their talents. Then open mic jam sessions open to all musicians FRI - SAT: Rock music or singer-songwriters SUN: TARANTA NIGHT: Popular southern Italian music and dance. Starts at 6 p.m.

“We never play anything recorded here” he says with a smile. The method of bridging cultures at Porto di Mare is just getting out an instrument and beginning to play. “I’d be keen to talk to anyone who is interested in playing and sharing their music with us,” Francesco says. The club has also created its own big band, the Eskimo Jazz Orchestra. An all-star Tuscan jazz

fano Scalzi and guitarist Riccardo Onori, who both played alongside renowned Italian singer-songwriter and rapper Jovanotti; percussionists Walter Paoli, ex-member of 1970s Italian jazz, progressive rock and electronic group Area, and Piero Borri; clarinet player Nico Gori; and guitarists Paolo Conte, Ivano Fossati and Riccardo Galardini – to name just (a little more than) a few.

CONTACT FRANCESCO COFONE Via Pisana, 128 055 71 20 34 Porto di Mare

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24 Florence News

NEWS

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I' GIRONE DE' GHIOTTI THE VINAIO NEAR PIAZZA SIGNORIA

WINE TASTINGS AND TRADITIONAL TUSCAN PRODUCTS Tuscan Panini, Handmade pasta, chopping boards, Organic Products, Traditional Marmalades and Honey, Cantucci & Vin Santo, More than 100 Wines, Artisanal Beers.

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this pie makes it a welcome staple at the Easter table.

Easter as an Italian Culinary Tradition

Uovo di Pasqua. An oversized egg made of chocolate and stuffed with a surprise treat, the Italian chocolate egg is a whimsical confection traditionally presented to family and friends as an Easter present. Adding to the festive nature of the chocolate egg gift is its often colorful, painstakingly decorated wrapping.

DEJOU BENCOMO-JASSO

aster is a time of joy, observance, revelry, and celebrating through food traditions. An Italian Easter is no exception. Classic dishes vary from region to region, yet much Easter fare remains common throughout the country. Le Uova. Eggs are an essential component of an Italian Easter, as both symbol and ingredient. Brightly colored hard-boiled eggs and chocolate eggs are the delight of children and adults alike, while a number of traditional Easter time dishes include egg as a key ingredient.

Florence News 25

FOOD&WINE Colomba Pasquale. This dessert bread is named after the Italian word for dove, colomba. It’s baked in the shape of this symbolic bird, meant to represent a sign of peace, and is made according to the same method used for the Christmas cake panettone, omitting the candied fruits.

L’agnello. Lamb is both a religious symbol and an essential dish in the Easter meal. In northern regions lamb is used in hearty stews with beans and potatoes, and in braised variations with herb-infused broths and root vegetables. Lamb meatballs and pasta dishes filled with a mixture of lamb and ingredients such as cheese, garlic, onion or herbs are also commonly prepared. In other regions roasted lamb is served with artichokes, peas or other spring vegetables.

Pastiera. Rooted in pagan celebrations of the arrival of spring, pastiera is a mainstay of Easter celebrations, particularly in Naples. This unique dessert is a cross between a cake and a pie, with a filling of ricotta, eggs, egg yolks, sugar, milk, boiled wheat, cinnamon, vanilla, lemon zest and candied citrus fruits.

Dejou Bencomo-Jasso

Pizza piena. These stuffed pies are tall, quiche-like rounds of pastry filled with eggs, cheese, cured meat and/or sausage. While variations on the pizza piena exist across the country, the velvety richness of

LIVE MUSIC AND SPORT Via Faenza 27/r • 055 274 1571

For more about Dejou Bencomo-Jasso, visit www.countrybred.com/ bredblog. She can be reached at dejou@countrybred.com.

26 Florence News

FOOD&WINE

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Get Your Food Home Delivered

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can flavors, and tasting plates of assorted cheeses accompanied with fresh fruit and jams, including the taverna’s specialty hot red pepper jam. Also serving as a wine bar and pizzeria, the restaurant offers an eclectic selection of wines from its cellar, an outdoor summer terrace, and is fittingly decorated in a medieval style with armour and banners.

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amed after Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy, a homely, rustic taverna fittingly lies on Via dei Cimatori, only a few meters away from Dante’s house. The restaurant offers traditional dishes based on medieval recipes. Some are adapted and revisited for the modern age in a way that one maintains the omnipresent feeling of Florentine history and tradition – so much so that Dante himself could walk in and dine next to you. Others are as they were centuries ago. Traditional medieval-style dishes include homemade ribbon pasta with wild boar and mushroom sauce, roast shin of pork with new potatoes and seasonal vegetables, risotto inspired by medieval Tus-

FOR YOUR FIRST ORDER

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the globe. Deliveroo operates in over 100 cities across 12 countries, including Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. In Italy Deliveroo is active in Milan, Rome, Florence, Turin and Piacenza. Try Deliveroo for yourself by visiting the website or downloading the app, which is available on iPhone and Android. Among the restau-

rants that can deliver in the center of Florence are Il pizzaiuolo, Dim Sum, Gherardo, Kome Sushi, Icchetthai, Hard Rock Cafe, El Chico, The Diner, Off the Hook, Dioniso. DELIVEROO.IT (DOWNLOAD THE APP) FOOD HOME DELIVERY SERVICE

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Taste Wine with Pino In a renovated 700-year-old well

‘P

ozzo Divino’ is a witty play on words: literally meaning ‘divine well’, it also translates as ‘wine well’ when read as ‘Pozzo di Vino’. The ancient well is now the cellar that hosts Pozzo Divino’s wine tours. Dating back to 1312, the well was built to supply water through a vast system of underground tunnels and pipes to the prisoners of a local prison known as ‘The Stinche’ (now Teatro Verdi) that stretched as far as the Bargello. Pino bought the location in 2006 and restored it himself with the help of some friends. Despite its

restoration, Pino reveals that it was always his principal intention to maintain a tangible sense of history when stepping into the cellar. This is something he has undoubtedly achieved; the place is almost like a time-machine propelling you back a few centuries into a part of authentic medieval Florence – albeit in excellent condition. Pino imparts his knowledge while taking guests around the cellar, offering a range of Italian wines to sample with an appetizer of complementary regional cheeses, cuts of meats, bread, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Guests are offered a spectrum of Tuscan flavors to try, from a variety of the region’s renowned Chianti Classico to white wines that include Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio. The wine-tasting ends with the most exclusive reds of the cellar: Bolgheri, Super Tuscan, Morellino and Montepulciano. Upon request, guests also enjoy a buffet lunch comprising fresh pasta, specialty Italian second courses, and “the best panini in the world” made by Pino himself. Pino boasts that 90 percent of the wines he holds are of Tuscan origin, and that his tours prove so popular that he often ships back boxes of the wine sampled to America in order to appease impressed customers. Those looking to take a taste of Tuscany back home can find comprehensive information on shipping zones and freight costs on the company’s website. Pozzo Divino’s wine tours can be organized for tourist groups, families and universities, and cost only €15 a head – which not only makes it an experience to enjoy over the festive season but also an ideal Christmas gift for lovers of Tuscany’s finest vintages.

Pozzo Divino Only 15 Euro! Via Ghibellina, 144/r 055 24 66 907 Open from Monday to Saturday Wine-tasting on Sundays by appointment (minimum 10 people) www.pozzodivino.it

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Florence News 27

FOOD&WINE

Mistakes to Avoid When Making a Pizza T

he best way to approach the preparation of a pizza, rather than with what should be done, is probably by avoiding what should not be done. Here is a list of the most common mistakes that people often make when preparing their own pizza. Use improper flour: This is important because it sets up the foundation of your pizza, the crust. If the correct flour is not used for the dough, it can prevent the crust from rising or make it rubbery. Use an average-strength flour that has 10–12 grams of protein. Combine the yeast and salt wrongly: This must be done in a very specific way. Mix the two ingredients first in two separate bowls with water before putting them together. This prevents the salt from damaging the yeast. Let the dough rest for too little time: You must set the yeast aside so that it can “rest” for two to three hours after first making it to enable the yeast to work. Then divide it into small sections of 200–300 grams

and allow it to sit for six to eight hours to become soft. Manipulate the dough too much After the lasting resting session, roll out the dough and begin to form the shape of the pizza. However, you must also tap and knead the dough to make it firm. Bake in an inappropriate baking tin: The perfect pizza requires a lot of heat, especially from underneath. Consequently a thin aluminum pan will give you the best results. Use mozzarella that is too damp: Make sure you drain the mozzarella before you put it on your pizza. The best way to do this is to cut it the night before and set it in a colander in a refrigerator overnight or for a few hours. This method is also effective for buffalo mozzarella. Put on toppings before baking: If you apply the toppings too early, they will burn your pizza. Instead, put the mozzarella and vegetables on right before the pizza is done cooking. Toppings like ham or meat can be added after it has been removed from the oven.

28 Florence News

FOOD&WINE

Gelateria della Passera and Dondoli Awarded

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Eat and Dance: Greek Style

Ristorante Dioniso

Sergio Dondoli

he Gelateria della Passera in Florence and the Gelateria di Piazza in San Gimignano have been awarded the prestigious prize of the three cones, the highest attainable in the Gambero Rosso guide. An Italian food and wine magazine and publishing group founded in 1986, Gambero Rosso literally translates as “red prawn” and comes from the tavern in Pinocchio where the Fox and the Cat dine From 1987, Gambero Rosso has published Vini d’Italia, a guide to Italian wine, which soon became one of the most influential in Italy. After covering wines and restaurants, the Gambero Rosso has recently been awarded to gelaterias

Waiters dancing, often with customers, is what happens if you decide to try the restaurant Dioniso. The restaurant offers typical Greek dances and dishes, and on Friday and Saturday night also live Greek music. This formula joins food with music for a full immersion in Greek culture. The restaurant opened in 2000 and is located on Via San Gallo 16/r, between the train station and San Marco square.

Cinzia Otri too. The Gelateria della Passera is located in Piazza della Passera, in the Oltrano area of Florence, and was started in 2010 by Cinzia Dell’Otri. The small artisanal Gelateria offers less than 20 flavors, among which the best rated are those made out of coffee, almond, cream, as well as the mojto and the tea. The reason behind the prize also had to do with the fruit flavors, made with 70% fruit pulp. The Gelateria di Piazza is located in San Gimignano’s main square and is run by Sergio Dondoli, a former member of the Italian team that won the Gelato World Championship in 2006/2007 and 2008/2009. At the Gelateria – we read in the Gambero Rosso guide – it is pos-

sible to find one of the most fresh and inviting flavors: the Champelmo, a mix of Champagne and grapefruit. The Gelateria also offers other ‘creations’ such as the Santa Fina cream, a flavor created in the honor of San Gimignano’s patron saint, the San Gimignano Zafferano, made out San Gimignano’s most typical products: saffron, eggnog and Tuscan Vin Santo. Here the flavors are divided between chocolate–there is even one made out the Amedei chocolate, a famous chocolate ‘artisan’ from the Tuscan city of Pontedera– creams and fruits. The Gambero Rosso guide also revers Dondoli’s blackberry and black blueberry flavors, as well as their salty flavors.

VEGETARIAN EASTER BRUNCH SUNDAY 16 APRIL 12.30-15.30 Vicolo di S. Maria Maggiore, 1 055 29 08 76 www.ristorantequinoa.it

AT THE CORNER OF VIA NAZIONALE AND VIA GUELFA FIRENZE -INFOLINE 328. 82.86.117

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Florence News 31

FOOD&WINE

Sweet Wine of the Gods Discover the Vin Santo

n ancient and fabled wine, Vin Santo is one of the most luxurious, albeit unknown, dessert wines on the market today. While somewhat rare and hard to find in the United States, a bottle of Vin Santo is most certainly an elegant and essential addition to any collection of Italian digestini. What perhaps makes Vin Santo most intriguing, besides its sensational flavor and its many variations, is the wine’s historical roots that date as far back as the Middle Ages. The name “Vin Santo” itself derives from Tuscan folklore passed along from generation to generation and most likely can be attributed to the use of sweet wine during masses in Catholic and Greek Orthodox faiths. The most

Traditionally homemade gelato since 1939

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famous legend surrounding Vin Santo can be traced to 1348 when the Plague was rampantly devastating the whole of Europe, including Italy. According to this legend, a friar from the province of Siena began distributing Vin Santo to the sick to alleviate their pain. Out of this everyday miracle, the name Vin Santo was purportedly born. According to another variation, the legendary beginnings of the wine are thought to have come from the Ecumenical Council of Florence in 1349. After sampling a Florentine wine by the name of vin pretto (or “pure wine”) at the council dinner, Basilios Bessarion, the founder of the Greek Eastern Orthodox church, commented that the wine was similar to wine from Xanthos.

Locals mistook the Cardinal’s comment to mean “santo,” and thus began referring to the wine as Vin Santo, or “holy wine.” The vinification process for Vin Santo adheres to vini appassiti, meaning that the wine is made from naturally dried grapes with a concentrated sugar content due to the evaporation of water. Although Tuscany is the predominant producer of Vin Santo, variations of the wine can be found throughout Italy. Many regions even dry the grapes on paglia (hay), to give the wine yet another layer of complexity. In 1990 the Italian D.P.R. granted Vin Santo produced in Colli dell’Etruria Centrale that coveted D.O.C. status. Accordingly, this Tuscan variety is considered to be the king of all Vin Santo wines produced in Italy. For a Vin Santo to be compliant with the D.O.C. standard, it must contain at least 50% of Tuscan Trebbiano, up to 5% of Malvasia from Chianti and a combination of 10 to 45% of Pinot Bianco or Grigio, Chardonnay and Sauvignon. The sugar content of the grapes must reach at least 28% while the prolonged drying of the grapes must extend to at least December 20 of a given year. All Vin Santo wines generally exude an amber to hay coloration and are intense and aromatic on the nose. Vin Santo wines generally include caramel-like flavors with hints of honey, raisin and nut. The wine lends itself well to baked goods that are crispy and toasted, such as biscotti, and with an alcohol content of 16% it makes for a delightful accompaniment to desserts or enjoyed simply as a digestivo.

Il Supermercato... da Gustare e deGustare

Sapori & Dintorni is the new way to do the shopping: in the heart of Florence there is a place where Food, Culture and Territory meet. Get in and discover the Big Supermarket to test and taste! Inside you will find many typical products of the Italian food tradition. Buy your favorite product and taste it within the tasting area.

FIND YOUR LOCAL BIG SUPERMARKET IN THE CITY CENTER

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THE BIG SUPERMARKETS ARE OPEN: • Monday - Saturday: from 08.30 am to 9.00 pm • Sunday: from 09.30 am to 9.00 pm

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Florence News 33

CHIANTI

Two Must-See Fortresses in the Val d’ Orcia C.DE MELO

ne could say, in a nutshell, that the Val d’ Orcia is to Siena what the Chianti is to Florence. Both regions produce exceptional wines, but it is in the Val d’ Orcia where the towns of Montalcino and Montepulciano exist, and any wine lover will tell you that Brunello di Montalcino and Nobile di Montepulciano are among the world’s best reds. Not far from these two wine meccas is one of the best places in the world for cheese lovers: Pienza. Rolling green hills with pristine rows of cypress trees, stunning villas, fat sheep grazing peacefully, no one around for miles- it is pure heaven. Unsurprisingly, Montalcino, Montepulciano and Pienza attract many tourists during season. This article is for those who are already familiar with these places and want to see something new. Somewhere off the beaten track with less people, more authenticity. The two places highlighted in this article are for lovers of history and medieval architecture. The following is a wonderful morning and afternoon itinerary for anyone wishing to explore the countryside. NOTE: you will need to rent a car. The roads are winding but the sweeping views are incredible. The Val d’Orcia is less populated than Chianti, resulting in views that

seem almost surreal. The entire region can honestly be described as one big postcard! First stop- Radicofani: a medieval hilltop town offering 360 degree views from the Castle of Ghino di Taco. For a mere 4,00 euro, you can visit this fortress, which was first documented in the year 978. The massive structure sits at the hill’s peak, which is 896 meters (2940 feet). On a clear day, you can see the Mediterranean Sea from the ramparts. During season, there is a small cafe that serves reasonably priced drinks and lunches with a million dollar view. In the center of town, inside the

Sant’ Agata church, there is an amazing altarpiece created by Andrea della Robbia in the 15th century (Madonna with Saints). Being a fan of della Robbia ceramics, I can attest that this is one of the best I’ve seen. The sheer size is impressive, but what is most striking is the attention to detail. The faces of the figures possess sensitivity and elegance. Second stop-Sarteano: this sleepy little town is the birthplace of Pope Pious III, and the surrounding area has some of Tuscany’s most significant Etruscan tombs. The Castle of Sarteano dates back to the 11th century and is in relatively good shape. During the 16th

century, this formidable fortress housed the military captains (and their families) who were paid to protect the Via Francegina (Frankish Road) from attacks. This pilgrim’s road was highly valued and maintained because it brought religious devotees to the city, which boosted local businesses. Keeping the roads free of bandits was akin to providing good customer service to potential patrons. The fortress was privately owned by a noble family until recently. It is now the property of the commune and can be visited for 4,00 euro. The rooms are in decent condition, with medieval fireplaces, “toilets,” a sink and an incredibly old door with the various coats of arms from the families who occupied the fortress throughout the years. There is even historical graffiti dating back to 1504. From the ramparts, you can get great views and enter one of the defense towers where three soldiers could attack the enemy via crossbow. When you reach the top, you can retrace your steps via the normal stairwell, or you can descend with the original spiral staircase the soldiers used (which is narrow).

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FLORENTINE COUNTRYSIDE WINE TASTING • WINE TOUR • ACCOMODATIONS • RESTAURANT • WEDDINGS Located at the top of a hill overlooking the valley of Greve in Chianti, Vicchiomaggio offers an unforgettable holiday experience in an ancient castle. A great place to go on vacation, take part in a wine tour, have a fairy-tale wedding and organize business meetings.

CASTELLO VICCHIOMAGGIO - VIA VICCHIOMAGGIO, 4 - 50022 | GREVE IN CHIANTI - FIRENZE | 055.854079 | INFO@VICCHIOMAGGIO.IT

34 Florence News

CHIANTI

5 Tips for Visiting Greve, the Heart of Chianti

APRIL www.florencenews.it

Galleria Gagliardi Reopens With New Artists

SUPER CARRIAGE TOUR AND WINE TASTING

Here the perfect chance to live a special moment in Chianti a romantic CARRAGE tour will take you in two of the most charming wineries of Greve in Chianti

1) How to get to Greve: Although getting to Greve in Chianti via car would be the easiest and the most scenic, there are other modes of transportation available. An easy way to get to the town would be from the Santa Maria Novella station. Hop on bus line 365 and you will get to Greve in Chianti in just about an hour. 2) What to do: Beyond being the entrance gate into the Chianti region, Greve in Chianti is full of historical sites. Every Saturday morning, the weekly market takes place in Greve in Chianti’s main square, Piazza Matteotti. The Saturday morning market offers local products by artisans, workshops and restaurants.

For more information go to www.helloflorence.net

3) What to see: the Piazza Matteotti; the Chiesa Santa Croce, constructed in the 11th century and was rebuilt in 1325 with a neoclassic façade; the Montefioralle and

Verrazzano castles. 4) Museums: Greve offers two museums, the Museum of San Francesco, which was inaugurated in 2002 in the former convent of San Francesco and presents several important paintings and other pieces of art; the Wine Museum, just outside the square, set in a space as big as 800 square meters where previously were the Mirafiori cellars and where now it is possible to learn and ‘see’ the history of wine. 5) What to eat: Beyond sipping on the wine from Greve in Chianti, must-eats in Greve are grilled meat and pig products such as prosciutto, salami, finocchiona, crostini, and truffles. For more information on Greve visit the website: http://www.comune. greve-in-chianti.fi.it/

fter celebrating its 25th anni- Bologna. He taught in the Institute of Arts ‘Dosso Dossi’ until 1995. For versary last year, the Galleria Gagliardi in San Gimignano re- his research in sculpturing he utiopened last month after the win- lized backed clay and, successively, lighter material for sculptures of ter break with two new important artists: sculptor Giuseppe Bergomi, large dimensions. Zanni defines his research in arts and sculpture: and sculptor and painter Sergio Zanni. After numerous national “My job allows me to continuousand international exhibitions, Ber- ly travel in order to discover unknown sites. These sites have been gomi’s art is currently on showcase at the Venice Biennale (54th Inter- materialized in several characters: national Art Exhibition, Italian Pa- hermits, rain men, killers, war memorials, devils, attendants of the vilion, Arsenale) plains, gypsies, observers, hikers. The protagonist of his work is the Deep-sea divers, water, front-less human figure, his family having characters, pilots, cloud hunters, inspired his subjects. Bergomi’s oblomov, smokers, painters of war, realism reveals is the result of a slow and meticulous work that pu- mysterious angels, with no front, siren’s songs, and go on until to rifies the image from superfluous details. After obtaining the Diplo- the last sculptures, the equilibrists, ma at the Institute of Arts ‘Dos- Ulysses and other hikers.” The Galleria Gagliardi is locatso Dossi’ in Ferrara, Italy, Zanni ed in San Gimignano on Via San graduated from the Academy of Giovanni 57. Arts (Accademia delle Belle Arti) in

WINE & TYPICAL TUSCAN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING Piazza Matteotti 18 50022 Greve in Chianti (FI) 055853631• chianticlassicoshop@gmail.com Enoteca Bottega del Chianti Classico

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Florence News 37

TRAVEL

Sun and Fun: Visiting the Amalfi Coast with Smart Trip

Croatia’s Natural Beauty Unveiled

side town of Positano. Positano is made up of picturesque multi-colored buildings that cling to the cliff above the black sand and pebbled beaches. The Smart Trip tour includes transportation to the aforementioned areas, 3 nights of accommodation, breakfast on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday along with dinner on Friday and Saturday night. Visit smarttrip.it for more details and bookings for a memorable time at the Amalfi Coast.

C K

nown for its picturesque sights and serene beach atmosphere that attracts celebrities, weekend jetsetters and college students across the world, the Amalfi Coast is an Italian paradise. It’s located in the region of Campania, home to a variety of renowned destinations like Naples, Pompeii and the Island of Capri, particularly attractive in the months of March and April because of the cool weather, making a trip to Capri and the seaside towns of Positano and Sorrento ideal. The almighty Mt. Vesuvius greets Smart Trip travelers as it looms over the countryside, accompa-

nied by fantastic views of beautiful, traditional cities built into the sloping cliffs. The first day of the trip includes breakfast and a ferry ride to the Island of Capri, one of the most spectacular Italian islands. There, visitors will journey to mystical places, to the home of many ancient myths, such as the site of the infamous sirens from Homer’s Odyssey, and to the world famous Blue Grotto: an accessible sea cave with sunlight that pierces the clear water, bringing out brilliant hues of blue and green. Travelers will then visit the sea-

5 Best Views in Amalfi Mount Solaro in Capri View from Positano beach looking at all the pastel color buildings Top of Mount Vesuvius overlooking Napoli Blue Grotto Pompeii

roatia’s natural beauty makes it one of the best destinations for outdoor activities like relaxing on the beach and admiring cultural wonders. Student travel company Smart Trip offers a convenient way to reach the country and an itinerary that covers must-see locations and exciting activities. The tour focuses on the medieval port town of Split located on Croatia’s pristine Dalmatian coast. On the first day, Smart Trip organizes an optional whitewater rafting trip on the Cetina River, an adventurous and scenic experience through one of Croatia’s great natural landmarks. Other adventures lay ahead, like spending the day laying on one of Split’s beaches, touring the Split’s historic city center, visiting the Diocletian Palace,

renting a bike and riding up Marjan Hill, or taking a day trip to the local surrounding towns, such as Omiš or the Krka Waterfalls. On the last day the group takes a trip to Krka, where a few hours are dedicated to swimming and exploring the magnificent waterfalls of the national park before heading back to Florence.

Croatia’s Five Gems Krka National park waterfalls Centa River Diocletian’s Palace Old Town Split Split’s Beaches and Coves

LUX TUESDAY

BEST HIP HOP NIGHT PARTY IN FLORENCE FRIDAY

THE HOUSE OF HIP HOP Via dei Pandolfini, 26r 340 791 3985

For the full program check our facebook page

38 Florence News

TRAVEL

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As Good as the Original: Time for the Springfest

hat’s better than spring in beautiful Florence? Spring in Munich! The city is celebrating Frühlingsfest, or Spring festival, from April 16 to May 3, and the people of Munich are gearing up to enjoy the party. This year Frühlingsfest is being held on the Theresienwiese, the same open space that hosts the legendary Oktoberfest. While both involve lots of beer, dancing on tables, and belting out merry

songs with dozens of new friends, Springfest isn’t nearly as crowded or tourist-heavy, which means shorter lines and getting even more of a chance to see real local tradition. In addition to two large beer tents, Spaten’s Hippodrome, the Augustiner tent and a Weissbier beer garden, there is a revolving Pils carousel that allows you to drink beer and go on a ride at the same time, in case you were having

trouble deciding between the two. Entrance to the tents is free, and a multitude of other rides and a Saturday flea market add to the endless entertainment options. Aside from Springfest, Munich boasts beautiful parks, museums and historical sights. A 20-minute train ride from downtown Munich is the Dachau concentration camp, a humbling experience that provides an up-close perspective on Nazi atrocities during World War II. Munich also boasts several famous beer halls and nightclubs. Kultfabrik is a playground for young adults, with more than 40 bars and clubs situated in a converted warehouse, ranging from sports bars to pubs and dance clubs, open till the early hours of the morning. SmartTrip offers a Florence to Munich Springfest getaway that includes more than just the popular festival. Travellers will call home base a comfortable hostel. The trip includes an optional bike tour of the city, an ideal way to see all of the city’s beautiful sights such as Marienplatz, Hofbrauhaus, the English Gardens, Chinese Tower, Surfer’s Bridge and Bavarian Parliament. The Munich Bike Tour, which lasts about three-and-a-half hours, has been called the best bike tour in Europe by many travelers, and is led by some of the best international guides in Europe.

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5 Things you didn’t know about Munich springfest: 1. It’s highly similar to Oktoberfest- except less people and much better weather! 2. You can dress up in traditional Bavarian clothing while enjoying the festival 3. Munich is a fantastic city with giant pretzels, efficient public transportation and gorgeous parks 4. Enjoy some of the best beer IN THE WORLD in Munich 5. If you’ve had enough of the festival, you’re in luck because football is also in season, take in a game to break from the festivities

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