Florence, a city of art

The city of Florence is famous throughout the world. It is considered the heart of the Renaissance and the home of the fine arts and literature. It preserves in its angles some of the brightest examples of Italian Western Europe culture, such as Michelangelo’s David, the spectacular dome of Brunelleschi and the ancient Ponte Vecchio .

Visiting Florence means to immerse yourself in the Palazzo Pitti and Uffizi Gallery, for an unusual journey through the works by Raphael, Botticelli, Rembrandt, Caravaggio and many others. Florence is also the city that gave birth to Dante Alighieri, and saw expressing the incomparable genius of artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci.

Surrounded by green hills and crossed by the Arno, Florence is a jewel in the center of Italy, a destination for lovers of art and culture but also good food.

If you want discovering all its marvels, there are a lot of Florence tourist guides that could suggest you the best tours.

Holiday package from Tuscany to Bocelli’s concert in Venice

For those who love Andrea Bocelli, on Wednesday, the 1st of July, there will be one of his long-awaited concerts in Piazza San Marco, the most striking music event of Summer 2009 in Venice. A very particular concert for the picturesque location as Piazza San Marco, that is more than just a frame to the concert.

And for the best Bocelli fans there will be a unique holiday package defined by the tour operator Ariannandfriends.com and named “The Dazzling Dozen”, because it is destined to only 12 people in the world . It includes the best Executive tickets to the concert, placed in the 3rd, 4th or 5th row of the stalls and 6 nights from Saturday 27th June to Friday 3rd July 2009.

The cost of this all inclusive package is 1840 Euro.

For all detailed information

Bocelli concert in Venice

Tuscany: Memorial Day 2009

Music can also serve to remind us,  and to hear the great tragedies of humanity. As part of initiatives for the Memorial Day 2009, Wednesday 21 January at 18.30, in the sitting room of the Teatro della Pergola, the master of Contempoartensamble Mauro Ceccanti will perform in a concert with music by Nono, Messiaen, Vandor, Prokofiev and Williams . Admission is free.

Including the participation of the Culture Paolo Cocchi.
In the short program.
Luigi Nono “Remember what you have done in Auschwitz” (1966), for tape.
Olivier Messiaen “Quatuor pour la fin du temps: Abîme des Oiseaux” (Abisso birds), John Riccucci clarinet.
Ivan Vandor “In the dim light” (2001) for flute, clarinet, viola and cello.
Sergei Prokofiev’s “Overture on Hebrew Themes” op. 34 for piano, clarinet and string quartet.
Ivan Vandor & ld quo; “In memoriam Tadeusz Moll “(2007) for flute / flute in G, clarinet / bass clarinet, horn, violin, viola, cello.
Out Program
John Williams ” Theme from Schindler’s List “for violin solo and violin orchestras Duccio Ceccanti.

Tuscany: The Film of Memory in Massa Marittima

The most significant films of recent times not to forget the horrors of the Shoah. And ‘this initiative organized by the Massa Marittima at the Municipal Library, to celebrate “The day of remembrance.”

Tuesday 27 January at 16.45 the event will be inaugurated in the meeting room of the Library G. Baddii at the convent of Poor Clares (Piazza XXIV May).

The presentation of the days will be presented by Deputy Mayor Sergio Martini, while 17 will begin the first screening of the film program: “Trein de vie”, directed by Radu Mihaileanu.

The event presents however a program of multi-day, January 26-31: 12 films by the great masters of cinema will be screened daily in the library hall meetings, for children of all schools involved in the initiative.

Tuscany: Lunedilibri in Siena

For lovers of books, back LunedìLibri, the cycle of meetings to the culture promoted by the City of Siena in order to inform the public with the latest publications in the library.

Every Monday afternoon, from January 26 to April 6, the appointment with the literature you alternate between the Biblioteca Comunale of Intronati and Library Becarelli (via Mameli 14)

A third edition, this 2009, all the famminile. Protagonists women writers whose literary suggestions intertwine the thickness of the emotions of life, giving rise to a logos in which it is easy to find points of sharing if not even recognize.

From the biggest passion, love, the social and political uprisings. Stories, thoughts and considerations that go on big issues, viewed and analyzed with the eyes and intelligence of women, yes to different experiences and training, but the same sensitivity and skill in describing the reality, the feelings and, above all, the perceptions .

LunedìLibri to open January 26 to 18 in the historical exhibition of the Municipal Library Intronati will Cibrario Blessed with his Rossovermiglio (ediz. Feltrinelli). The first novel for the young writer and the first major recognition: Campiello Prize in 2008. At present the public Cibrario Sienna Paola Italy, professor of Italian literature at the University of Siena.

The following Monday (February 2, Biblioteca Comunale) will meet with Mariella Gramaglia Indiana. With her musician and composer Fabio Pianigiani Siena, cultured connoisseur in India and its millennial traditions. The presentation of the book will be preceded, at 17, since after the show made with photographs by Laura Salvinelli. The setting, in the Warehouse Sale in the City Hall will remain open, with free admission, until 1 March with the aim of raising awareness, through reports of Salvinelli, the changes of women’s work in India through Sewa, the largest union of self-employed women, which today has one million registered.

My heart will follow human Nada Malanima February 9 in the Library Becarelli; archive secret Annarosa Mattei interviewed the following week, in Biblioteca Comunale semiologist by Omar Calabrese and Renato Niccolini; Prophets of unarmed Mirella Serri February 23 to Becarelli along with the contemporary history professor Marcello Flores d’Arcais; Love cruel, written by two hands and Silvana Mazzocchi, Patrizia Pistagnesi, March 2 in the Municipal Library, where a week later (March 9) Emanuela Guercetti present the translation of How a true man of Evfrosinija Kernovskaja, exceptional document and literary illustrations of imprisonment in the Gulag Russian writer.

On March 16 of the new library Becarelli to know with the dream and the error Gabriella Ripa di Meana and 23 in the Library, where Silvia Ballestra Piove present on our love.

The last two meetings will protagonist Margaret Oggero Library Becarelli with Pride of class and Marina Valcarenghi in Municipal Library, to talk about his book The female aggression.

All appointments, with free admission, will begin at 18 with the reading of short passages of books by Paola Benocci and Massimiliano Alocco. The speakers after the presentation, can relate to the authors.

Tuscany: Memorial Day 2009 in Pitigliano

“….. in memory of the extermination and persecution of the Jewish people and displaced military and Italian politicians in the Nazi camps “- (Law 211 of July 20 2000).

On 28 January, the town of Pitigliano and the Association “The Little Jerusalem”, organized a series of initiatives for the Memorial Day 2009 Wednesday, 28 January 2009 10:00 am – Piazza G. Garibaldi – Teatro Salvini The Bread of memory screening of the film by director Louis M. Faccini Servants with Elena, where a small cemetery tells the story of the Jewish community in Pitigliano.

At the end of the film will be a discussion with the director and Ms Elena Servi. 12.00 – Piazza G. Garibaldi – Teatro Salvini A child in the storm Presentation of the book by Ariel Paggi that tells the story of the family and “Righteous” Pitigliano who saved over the period of racial laws and the Nazi persecution.

Tuscany: Days of Remembrance and Memory in Lucca

The Italian Museum of Comics and dell’Immagine (Piazza S. Romano) opens Saturday December 20 at 16.30 hours, an exhibition by the evocative title “Days of Remembrance and Memory”, a triptych of exhibitions that have the honor to explain the historical path of humanity, by the end of, a century full of positive illusions, the harsh disillusionment of the First World War, through the comic.

“When he arrived at Lucca Boheme”, “Diary presented without heroes” and “Chronicles of the Great War” are the three exhibitions visited with single entry (4 euros), daily, except Mondays, from 10 to 19 to 21 March (info: segreteria@museonazionaledelfumetto.it or tel. 0583 / 56326).

At present the initiative, Donatella Buonriposi, Alderman municipal museums, Angelo Nencetti, curator of the museum and one of the artists, Gradimir Smudja that, in Italy since 1994 has chosen to live in the territory of Lucca.

“Smudja is one of the most popular contemporary artists – underlined the assessor Buonriposi – and welcome, can submit works in Lucca a fellow considered among the great contemporary.”

“The days of remembrance and memory – said Angel Nencetti – gives visitors a clear path divulgativo \ teaching that through the comic and illustration, remember the major events of the past century: from positivism of late XIX, to the disillusionment the first World War, provided by the pencil of Matina first big pictorial report of the war that followed the war and drawing the reality that he saw around him. “

For its part, the same Smudja stressed satisfaction with what has welcomed the news of an exhibition staged in one considers that, by now, his city.

When he arrived at the Boheme Lucca – An exhibition devoted to Gradimir Smudja and his art.

Through the exhibition of over 150 paintings of (even large), illustrations and tables comics, sketches, and more history is celebrated the art of one of the most creative contemporary Europe.

Gradimir Smudja is recognized today as a multifaceted figure who has been able to convey through the comic book knowledge of the great artists (Impressionist painters, writers and musicians) in the late nineteenth century France, the Ville Lumiere, coffee chantant of Humor Berger, of bohemiennes.

And it is precisely from the combination of pictorial art and comics, who takes home this wonderful show for the occasion, the artist Smudja unpublished illustrations enhanced by specially built for the show (as well as the illustration that will be the official poster of the show) about Giacomo Puccini heroines her and her life by bohemians.

Tuscany: the train of memory

Train as a high point of the initiatives organized by region for the celebrations of the Day of Remembrance.

“One way – explained the president Claudio Martini during the press conference to present – to involve boys and Tuscan help them understand the facts and circumstances. I think the best way to get in touch with the history and combat revisionist logic pointing to diminish the memory of tragic events. “

The path that led to the train departing in two weeks has been articulated through a series of events aimed at raising the awareness of allowing participants to experience the best experience of the journey “There have been conferences – has added Martini – visits to places of Shoah, trade with other countries, theatrical performances, interviews with witnesses. The commitment of the Region on issues of cultural memory now is constant throughout the year. The train was just two years to prepare the children and teachers to experience the journey not a trip but as a time of cultural growth, discounting certain events and not limited to a static museum.”

A look at the past to understand the dynamics of everyday life. “Take one of the recent events that have affected our region, the attack by some hackers to the site of the National Park of Peace Sant’anna di Stazzema.

It is a very serious fact. I take this opportunity to express the indignation and condemnation of all the regional government in the hope that those responsible do not franca.

Be this as testimony to how there is still much to be done to eradicate feelings of violence and intolerance.

” The value of the Train and other proposals of the region were also highlighted by the assessors Gianfranco Simoncini and Paul Cocchi who attended the press conference with the president Martini and the vice chairman of the Regional Council Alessandro Starnini. “

The activities that we organize every year in preparation for the train – said the alderman for education, training and work Gianfranco Simoncini – embraces the whole year. The aim is to spread among the children not only the idea of a ritual, a celebration, but should contribute to help them understand and analyze the daily. The train is a kind of race memory, so that participants can extend to others their knowledge. I have already participated in other kind of travel and when you come in, as in Birkenau, you can see how changing the faces of the children.

Change the words, they acquire an understanding of what they have before & ra quo;. “Last year – said the councilor Paolo Cocchi culture – have been traveling to study in Berlin with hundreds of teachers from Tuscany and I have seen with admiration the investment it has made and that Germany is doing in the field of culture of memory.

The memory is used to give depth and understand who we are, not only as a means to avoid the same mistakes committed in the past. The idea of starting a sort of network of memory, to initiate a European policy of memory with other countries is amazing and it is possible that one can find fulfillment in the space of a couple of years. “

Tuscany: Exhibition VIVERE VEGAN in Siena

With the sponsorship of the City of Siena, in the prestigious Courtyard Podestà in Piazza del Campo.

Designed and developed by Project Living Vegan Onlus (www.viverevegan.orglink external), the exhibition through photographs in large format, text and video, multimedia installations and brings us into the world of veganism to understand the reasons for this choice ethics, and to know more closely the style of life and so now increasingly necessary as a sign of respect not only of animals but also of the environment and people.

But what it means to be vegan? Those who follow this style of life treats animals as sentient beings with their intrinsic value and not just objects.

The vegans do not eat animal products such as meat, eggs and dairy products, do not wear leather or wool, do not use products tested on animals.

Do not buy animals and keep them in cages, do not visit zoos and aquariums, do not go to the circus and entertainment using animals.

Avoid short, everything that involves the death and suffering to animals.

So we read in the first introductory text:
“With this exhibition we want to explain, as delicate as possible, which inflict suffering to animals every day, everywhere in the world. But we want to especially give the right information to take the choice vegan, so simple and effective in getting results concrete for the animals, but not all. Everything is connected. Respect for animals can not do that for the environment, for their own health and for the people who need help. Because there is only one way to meet the world where we live and to respect everyone, without distinction of sex, race or species.
There emozioneremo seeing movies and reflect on texts that accompany the viewer step by step towards the knowledge of this lifestyle exciting and surprising.
Then we will enjoy the pictures of campaigns Campaigns For The Animals (www.campagneperglianimali.orglink external) and read quotes from characters in the story that, even today, will lead us to discover a new way of seeing our relationship with animals. For the duration of the exhibition will see the film Earthilings (Land) directed by Shaun Monson, narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, with original music by Moby. The film is in its original Italian with subtitles. A strong testimony that we invite all to see. Because, as Gandhi said: “The truth never hurts not a just cause.”

Tuscany: Exhibition of environmentally friendly clothes in Pitigliano

The cultural association “Erga omnes” organized in the premises of former granaries of the Fortezza Orsini, an exhibition market for environmentally friendly clothing made with recycled material.

The exhibition will be open from 27 December 2008 to 6 January 2009, from 10 to 13 and from 17 to 23; inside will also present the works of some painters pitiglianesi, made available to collect funds to support the care of Elisa.

On 28 December, at 15.00 will be organized a” workshop on recycling ”
aimed at children of primary school and middle school kids.
A jury of painters pitiglianesi reward the best production.

On Jan. 6 will instead be a fundraiser to support care for Elisa, providing clothing made with recycled material parade of summer in August 2008 and the works of some painters pitiglianesi.

Hours:
Morning from 10.00 to 13.00
Afternoon: from 17.00 to 23.00