ISSUE No. 120
ISSUE / No. 120
April 8, 2010
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News - Florence
Seven Minutes (in 2200 days!)
Shuttle buses to move over 5,000 commuters per hour
Once the new high-speed train (TAV) station designed by Norman Foster, located in the ex-Macelli area, is complete in 2016, it will be 1,300 meters away from the Santa Maria Novella train station. The city's two main transport hubs will be …
News - Florence
Tuscany in Red
Rossi elected regional president
Voters chose Enrico Rossi, who represents the centre-left coalition, composed of the Democratic Party and the allied parties Partito Socialista Italiano, Italy of Values, Federazione della Sinistra and Sinistra Ecologica e Libertà, as the next president of Tuscany, reconfirming the region …
News - Florence
Firenze Estate
Concerts, performances and more
Local councillors promise high-quality entertainment this summer for Florentines and visitors alike. Eighteen events have been selected for Firenze Estate 2010, which this year runs from May 15 to September 25.
Live music, dance performances, theatre shows and art exhibits on the …
News - Florence
Music for Planet
Pisa launches first eco-music' competition
‘The environment that is imagined and expressed through music, sounds and video. The beat, the structure and rhythms as if they were elements in a grammatical structure that is inscribed in DNA. A sonorous language that expresses modernity and that recalls …
News - Florence
Can't confess?
Pistoia diocese publishes confession manual'
A group of Catholic youth from Pistoia have published a manual for peers on how to confess. In a pocket-sized format, the manual explains the Catholic sacrament of penance and reconciliation.
‘Am I easily angered or am I a calm person? Do …
News - Florence
High Art Explained
Learn techniques under a great maestro
For a contemporary artist to be commissioned to do a painting for the Basilica of Santa Croce, just as the great masters were centuries ago, is an extraordinary and unique circumstance.
This is precisely what happened to Domenico Mileto, an artist at …
News - Florence
No More Juve Jerseys
Three local politicians of the opposition, Francesco Torselli, Mario Tenerani and Jacopo Cellai, recently presented the city council with a proposal to ban the sale in Florence of jerseys and other paraphernalia of ACF Fiorentina arch-rivals, Juventus. The main aim of the …News - Florence
Sacred Sculptures Revived
The Pietà di Palestrina, a series of newly restored marble sculptures attributed to Michelangelo in the Galleria dell'Accademia, will soon be unveiled and displayed in the Tibuna del David on April 19. For the event, the Accademia proposes to project a …News - Florence
Get a Jump on Summer
Florence's springtime all-night party, White Night, takes place from dusk to dawn on April 30. The event will feature the results of a public competition which drew more than 200 proposals on the theme of ‘creative insomnia,' to be funded through …
News - Florence
Mapplethorpes stay in Florence
Works donated to the Accademia and Uffizi
The Mapplethorpe Foundation recently donated three photos to the city's major museums. The foundation donated the New York-born artist's Von Hackendahl (1985), a study of a male model posing as an ancient athlete, and Derrick Cross (1985), a study of model …
News - Florence
Revolutionary Textile
Prato invention to help psoriasis sufferers
Millions of patients across the world suffering from psoriasis may soon find some relief from a revolutionary textile invented in Prato. The new textile, which developers hope will repel oily substances and let the skin breathe, may diminish the painful irritation …
News - Florence
Trenitoscana
Management of regional trains may change hands
Italy's national railway company, Ferrovie dello stato, may hand the management of five of Tuscany's most frequented regional train lines to the Tuscan Region, which will open a new company, called Trenitoscana.
The proposed transfer follows years of commuter protests and dissatisfaction …
News - Florence
Call to the faithful-online
The Florence Archdiocese has re-vamped its website (www.firenze.chiesacattolica.it) to mirror the times. Catholics can now check the site for information and events at parishes throughout the province, learn more about ecclesiastical activities and access official documents of the Catholic Curia. ‘We …News - Florence
Not so picture perfect
On March 29, at approximately 2:30am, a French tourist decided to scale the replica of the David in Piazza Signoria for a photo. Just as the 27-year-old, in Florence on holiday with her boyfriend and two friends, posed for the camera, …News - Florence
Ensuring green
The Tuscan region will soon have a new research centre on parks. The result of an accord between the region and Federparchi, the new centre, to be named after Valerio Giacomini, one of Italy's greatest naturalists and scholars, will conduct important …News - Florence
Study space
As of March 31, university students have a new space to study day and evening. Located in Palazzo dei Giovani, in vicolo Santa Maria Maggiore, the facility features desks, chairs and free wifi. The center, which is open until 11pm, is …News - Florence
Sentinels of beauty
To combat litter and other problems in Piazza Duomo, Florence mayor Matteo Renzi has organized a group of 30 local police officers to patrol the city's main square. Trangressors will be fined for littering and defilement. ‘Thanks to the sentinels, and …News - Florence
After hours
With construction causing traffic jams and detours, the city has decided to keep a handful of construction sites working through the night. Although putting crews on the job from 8pm to 6am will speed up construction and ensure that traffic moves …News - Community
Happy birthday AILO!
The American International League of Florence ONLUS (AILO) is celebrating its 35th anniversary. To mark the occasion, it has organized a special event at Palazzo Vecchio's Salone de' Cinquecento on April 13, at 4 pm. AILO's anniversary happens to coincide with this …News - Community
Inspiring ideas go global
by Joanna Weinstein
SUF students team up with UNICEF for Haiti
Last February, UNICEF Italy agreed to take on three American students at Syracuse University in Florence (SUF) as interns for the entire semester. The students, Blair Benson, Ashley Juavinett and Samantha McQueen, explained the challenges they encountered when starting their job.
‘It's …
News - National
Closed to cars
Locals want eco-friendly tourism in the Dolomites
‘We want cars out of the Dolomites.' This announcement did not come from environmentalists or local nature lovers: it came from the president of the Trentino region, Lorenzo Dellai. Politicians in Trentino are currently discussing ways to make tourism in the …
News - National
A Real reality
Laid-off workers occupy prison island in Sardinia
The event is already a hit on Facebook, and the participants are streaming live their adventure 24-hours a day on the stunning island of Asinara, off the coast of Sardinia. The phenomenon is not a TV reality show, but a slice …
News - National
Internet banking on the rise
Trendiest among retirees
Home banking has started to catch on with Italians, but those who have taken to it the most are older, rather than younger. According to the Italian Banking Association (ABI), although 35 percent of home-banking clients in Italy are 35 years …
News - National
Shroud on show
Curious and convinced drawn to Turin
Turin's iconic shroud is expected to attract some three million visitors while it is on public display in early April. According to the Italian Catholic daily Avvenire, more than 1,000,000 people, many of which from outside of Italy, have already booked …
News - National
Mediterranean tsunami scare
Scientist warns of dangerous' underwater volcano
At the bottom of the Tyrrenhian sea, off the southern Italian coast of the Campania region, lies Europe's largest undersea volcano, the Marsili volcano. It is active but has not erupted in recorded history.
In an interview with Corriere della Sera, an …
News - National
Vatican library goes digital
A project to scan some 80,000 rare manuscripts in the Vatican Library will soon begin, reports prefect of the library, Monsignor Pasini. The items to be digitalized include the oldest known nearly complete manuscript of the Bible, the Codex Vaticanus Graecus …News - National
Free fruit
In late March, approximately 325,000 children at 1,700 elementary schools in eight Italian provinces received free fruit as part of the government project Fruit in Schools: Good Nutrition, sponsored by the European Union (EU) and the Italian Ministry of Agriculture. Nearly …News - National
Best tippers
The majority of Europeans on holiday tip their servers, according to a recent survey conducted by the online travel website TripAdvisor. The data, results of a survey of 2,500 European users of www.tripadvisor.com, revealed that 62 percent of English travelers tip …News - National
Rome's ruins at risk
Culture minister Sandro Bondi said he was ‘very worried' about the condition of the Roman Emperor Nero's Domus Aurea in Rome, following the collapse of part of the structure's ceiling in late March. Bondi's words were echoed by major political figures …
News - Sport & Leisure
Viola corner
by Melinda Gallo
Viola on fire even with Prandelli doubts
At the beginning of the Fiorentina-Udinese match on March 28, the Curva Fiesole had one bold message for the team: ‘Tifiamo per la maglia' (‘We support the team'), a reminder to everyone that even if …
News - Sport & Leisure
Live the city
Vivicittt Firenze 2010
It's time to store your winter boots and put on your sneakers for the 27th annual Vivicittà Firenze Half Marathon. Organized by the Uisp of Florence, in collaboration with the local sport and education superintendents, the event features three races in …
News - Sport & Leisure
Celebrating Italian calico
The yearlong party marking the 100th anniversary of the Italian national soccer includes a game against European rivals France on May 15 and the opening of the Italian Soccer Hall of Fame. Headed by the Museum of Soccer in Coverciano, the festivities …News - Sport & Leisure
Promoting Florence's cycling excellence
On March 24, a delegation of cycling enthusiasts travelled to Rome to hand deliver Florence's application to become host of the 2013 Cycling World Championships. The delegation included vice-mayor of Florence and sports councillor, Dario Nardella; the president of the committee, Claudio …
Movie Reviews
Edge of Darkness
by James Douglas
Thursday 8 April
3.45 - 8.15 p.m.
Thomas Craven (Mel Gibson) is a veteran homicide detective for the Boston Police Department whose daughter is murdered. When he embarks on a mission to find out about his daughter's secret life, the investigation leads him into the dangerous world of …
Movie Reviews
Chloe
by James Douglas
Monday 12 April
4.30 - 6.30 - 8.30 -10.30 p.m.
If the one you loved was lying to you, how far would you go to find out the truth? If you're Catherine Stewart (Julianne Moore) you'll go so far as to hire Chloe (Amanda Seyfried) to spy on your suspect husband …
Movie Reviews
The Book of Eli
by James Douglas
Tuesday 13 April
3.45 - 6.00 - 8.15 -10.30 p.m.
Thursday 15 April
3.45 - 6.00 - 8.15 -10.30 p.m.
Violent end-of-the-world Christian fantasy directed by Albert and Allen Hughes, The Book of Eli revisits the now rather familiar post-apocalyptic scenario but injects it with a Christian ethos as our man Eli (Denzel Washington) wanders across a desolate and amoral America …
Movie Reviews
Fantastic Mr Fox
by James Douglas
Friday 16 April
3.00 - 4.45 - 6.30 - 8.40 - 10.30 p.m.
Saturday 17 April & Sunday 18 April
8.40 - 10.30 p.m.
Wednesday 21 April & Thursday 22 April
3.00 - 4.45 - 6.30 - 8.40 -10.30 p.m.
Fantastic Mr Fox is Wes Anderson's first venture into stop-motion animation and an excellent adaptation of Roald Dahl's much-loved children's story, with George Clooney, Meryl Streep and Bill Murray voicing the main roles in this battle between good (the Fox family …
Movie Reviews
Shutter Island
by James Douglas
Monday 19 April
3.00 - 5.30 - 8.00 -10.30 p.m.
1954. US Marshall Teddy Daniels is investigating the disappearance of an inmate from a hospital for the criminally insane on a remote island off Massachusetts. But things turn weird and exactly who is insane becomes a burning issue. Martin Scorsese's retro …
Movie Reviews
Alice in Wonderland
by James Douglas
Tuesday 20 April
3.00 - 5.30 - 8.00 -10.30 p.m.
There is a place like no place on Earth, a land full of wonder, mystery, and danger! Some say to survive it you need to be as mad as a hatter... Tim Burton and Lewis Carroll must surely be a match …
Top Picks
The Florentine's Fifth Anniversary
April 22 Opera et Gusto Restaurant
Celebrate this incredible milestone with TF staff! We're throwing a party and marking the occasion with a four-course dinner, live performances, a raffle and more. For reservations, email info@theflorentine.net or look for updates at www.theflorentine.net. …
Top Picks
Week of Cultural Heritage
April 16-25 Florence and surrounding area
The most anticipated cultural event of the year is finally here! For 10 days, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs offers free entry to all state-run monuments, museums, archaeological sites, and libraries. The 12th annual Week of Cultural Heritage will also feature …
Top Picks
St. James Annual Spring Fair
April 18 St. James Church
Join the community of St. James Church in celebrating the season with its annual Spring Fair from 12:30pm to 5pm. The event will feature a lottery, bake sale, barbecue lunch, a jewellery and vintage clothing market, children's activities and more. For …
Top Picks
Sonar International Short Film Festival
April 14-15 French Institute of Florence and FAF Sesto Fiorentino
Quality, controversy, multiculturalism and innovation in short film will take centre stage in this 10th annual competition. The festival celebrates the best in fiction, experimental, animated, and documentary shorts. Cinephiles won't want to miss it! For more festival and location information, …
Top Picks
Shakespeare Week
April 19-22 British Institute Harold Acton Library
Four days dedicated to the
masterpieces of William Shakespeare are part of the 10th annual Shakespeare
Week hosted by the British Institute. This …
Top Picks
Late Night with FITC: Teatro Per Sonnambuli, Salami! Salami!
April 9 and 10 Teatro di Cestello
This side-splitting show written and performed by master puppeteer and clown Bernard Vandal is sure to entertain audiences of all ages. For information, call 055/213788 or see www.florencetheatre.com. …
Top Picks
Ansia D'Immagini: Photographer Italo Zannier 1952-1976
An ode to Neorealism in Italian photography, the exhibit, curated by Angelo Maggi, features display the work of Italo Zannier, a pioneer of the style. For information, call 055/216310 or email mnaf@alinari.it. …Top Picks
Sette Piccoli Errori (Seven Little Mistakes')
April 9-June 19 Museo Marino Marini, Piazza San Pancrazio
The exhibition, curated by Stefano Collicelli Cagol, uses sculpture to redefine the ‘mistaken' way we view and interpret the contemporary world. The sculpture on display, itself untraditional in nature, encourages the viewer to reconsider the categories that ‘in-form.' Featured is the …
Top Picks
Site Specific Firenze 09 Photos by Barbieri and Zacapa
Until April 11 Palagio di Parte Guelfa
This high-flying exhibit, part of the project ‘A Different Altitude,' owes itself to an encounter between artist Olivo Barbieri and Zacapa Rum-and their mutual love of heights. For Barbieri, the altitude affection means taking his signature photographs from a helicopter, while …
Top Picks
Victorians and Anglo-Florentines: A Cultural Weekend at Casa Guidi
April 17 and 18, via di San Felice a Ema 8
For one weekend, Casa Guidi, the historic home of esteemed British poets Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning, will be holding special events in honor of Victorians and Anglo-Florentines. Events will kickoff on Saturday at 5pm with a reading from Il Vittorianesimo, …
Top Picks
Metamorfosi di Primavera: Omar Ronda
Until April 26 Palazzo Medici Riccardi Gallery
The Province of Florence is
hosting an exhibit dedicated to two of history's most beloved beautiful
blondes: Simonetta Vespucci, the most extraordinary beauty of her …
Italian Sketches
Giorgio La Pira
by Deirdre Pirro
The monk-like mayor
It is indeed a rare occurrence that the mayor of any city be considered a saint. But, in 1986, Pope John Paul II began the process of beatification, the third of four steps in the process towards sainthood, for Giorgio La …
Life
A quest for the truth
by Lisa Clifford
Solving a true Tuscan mystery
I don't remember exactly when my Italian mother-in-law told me that her grandfather was murdered. I've known my husband's mother for almost 30 years, so it must have been during the early part of my romance with her Florentine son that …
Expats in Florence
Dr. John Pietila
by Melinda Gallo
Enhancing the performance of the Fiorentina soccer players
Florence is home to many expats: those who have longed to live here, those who have found love and moved here, and those who have come to Florence and felt immediately at home here. Many people arrive here at a point …
In Other Words
Ready or not
by Linda Falcone
Once upon a time, long, long ago, Italians hated the telephone and feared it. A greenish-gray contraption the color of the cold war, il telefono sat in the hallway of everyone's homes, banished from access to the ‘real' rooms. Way back …
Florentinisms
Socera, Affrittellato, Buccole, Mommo
by Alexandra Lawrence, Francesco Stefanelli
Your in-progress dictionary of the florentine dialect
Sòcera. Florentine pronunciation of ‘suocera', mother-in-law. Also used to describe someone who is very precise and critical.
Example: Uffa! Ma tu'se' proprio una socera, un ti va mai bene nulla!! (Come on! You are such a mother-in-law, nothing is ever good enough!)
Affrittellato: …
Life
Babbo inglese
by Dan Woodford
Being a stay-at-home-dad in Florence
I was in the COOP carrying a basket in one hand and steering a buggy (‘stroller' to our American readers) with the other. Having already loaded the basket with heavy items upstairs, I now needed to bag and weigh the fruits …
Life
March of the condemned
by Neda Motamedi-Shad
Via dei Malcontenti (‘street of the unhappy') leads from via delle Casine to Piazza Piave and constitutes an exception among Florentine street names, as it neither originates from resident families (like via Strozzi, via Cerretani, Piazza Peruzzi, etc.), nor from artisans …
Life
Pushing through the pain
by Suzi Jenkins
Tuscany's perfect economic storm
The Tuscan economy is hurting, and it's hurting bad. Given, these days nearly every sector and industry in every country is in pain. But Tuscany has its very own personal agony.
Why are things so bad for the region economically? The global …
Style & Fashion
The big names like it green!
by Enrica Guidato
The earth is sick: for some time now, human society has altered the balance of the environment. Now terms such as ‘global warming,' ‘icecap melting' and ‘deforestation' have, unfortunately, become part of everyday language. Has the world of fashion remained indifferent …
Life
Virtual Tuscany
by Alexandra Korey
Confessions of an official blogger
I have a job that any Italy-loving expat would envy. I work for the Tuscan region's social media team. I attend art events and exhibits, write about art in Tuscany, and promote it on a blog and via social media. In …
Features
Articles
Special Issues
Friday, September 10, 2010