photo: @flipflorence
We’re in for a thick week of cultural events! Starting today November 12th and running through Saturday November 20th 2010 is “Florens 2010“, the first International Week on Cultural Heritage and Landscape. This event is a forum on the role of artistic and cultural heritage as a driver of economic and social development on an international level. There will be exhibitions of Italian crafts, special events at the Uffizi Gallery and Palazzo Vecchio, concerts by world renowned directors, lectures by important architects and art historians, films (including those of the 50 days of cinema festival) and special tours covering the history and cultural heritage of Florence.
Most of the lectures and conferences will be in Italian, while concerts and exhibits will be accessible to the English-only speaker. The full schedule is online, while I’ve provided a selection of English-friendly events below.
Lectures in English
A few lectures will be in English since they are by foreign scholars. This is what I could find:
Friday November 12 2010 at 10am, Rem Koolhaas inaugurational lecture
Wednesday November 17 2010, ore 18-19: Chris Bangle, Design is Difficult. Salone del 500, Palazzo Vecchio.
The Forum that takes place Nov. 18-19-20 will have simultaneous translation in English and French. It’s topics seem mainly geared towards people in the arts and culture sector, with talks about the role of the arts in territorial development and the like.
Exhibitions
(See all the exhibitions at Florens 2010)
Late night museum and contemporary art gallery opening on Saturday Nov. 20: the following will be open late (times vary): Palazzo Strozzi and Strozzina, Palazzo Vecchio, Bargello, and various contemporary art galleries in town (Bagnai, Biagiotti, Frosecchi, Il Ponte, La Corte, Tethys etc).
A strange thing is happening with Michelangelo’s David – or rather, with a copy of it. In “David – La forza della bellezza”, along with a conference and discussion of the proposed spaces for the David that contemporaries debated at the turn of the 16th century, life-size copies of the famous statue will be popping up around the city in the various places it might have ended up should someone have made a different decision!
At Palazzo Vecchio, with conference registration, access a special display of artisans’ products inside the historic rooms of the Palazzo. The Chapel of Eleonora has new lighting sponsored by Targetti (a local lighting manufacturer).
Opening of the new display spaces for the University’s collection of wax anatomies, the Osservatorio dei Saperi e delle Arti at Careggi Hospital (Largo Brambilla 3). The exhibit will stay open beyond Florens 2010 until February 12 2011. Hours: daily 10-17, saturday 10-13. Closed Sunday.
At the Biblioteca delle Oblate, a photography exhibit (60 images) of Tuscan excellencies.
At the Museo Salvatore Ferragamo, an exhibit dedicated to artisans and hand-production. Starting from the history of the house of Ferragamo, an exploration of how the presence of talented artisans generates creativity and quality in the whole city.
At the Galleria Palazzo Medici Riccardi (via Cavour) there’s an exhibit by National Geographic with the biologist Paul Nicklen (Nov 17-20)
Special opening and display of antiques at Palazzo Corsini, November 18-21, hours 10:30 to 19:30, free.
Concerts
Music speaks every language! not all concerts related to Florens 2010 are free, check the concert schedule for details.
Friday November 12th at 6pm don’t miss the concert in the Baptistry of Florence!! (sorry, not sure what’s playing)
November 18th ore 20:30 – Zubin Mehta directs the orchestra of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (Mozart, Beethoven, Verdi) – ticket required
From November 12-20, in the evenings (20-24h) in over 30 locations from clubs to literary caffes and piazze there will be concerts that warm up the Florentine night. Locations include Libreria Brac, Osteria de’Benci, Oibo, Rex, Caffe S. Ambrogio, Dolce Vita, Slowly Caffe, Bistot Odeon, Zoe Bar, Viper Theatre and more.
