The Florence Newspaper N30

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APRIL 2012, Suppl. N.30

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page 14

Taxing Tourists

Discovering Cinque Terre

page 13

Horseback Riding and Vespa Tours MAP & DE GUI DE INSI

The Medici Woman To Whom Florence Owes Everything City deciding where to place sculpture of ‘Electress Palatine’ Anna Maria Luisa De’ Medici

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Anna Balzani

inding an appropriate place to immortalize contemporary artist Arcagelo Salimbeni’s sculpture depicting the Electress Palatine – the last woman of the Medici, who donated her family’s entire cultural collections and heritage to the city of Florence – has become a top priority for the city council.

The statue has remained on display at Palazzo Pitti for the last 40 years, scarcely visible and almost forgotten. Now, thanks to the efforts of some of the city’s most influential people, there is an active effort being made in Florence to give the sculpture a new location worthy of its importance.

Assessor to Culture of the Comune di Firenze Gianni Conti recently stated that the relationship between sculptor Salimbeni and his most famous work was a “controversial love, due to the gap between its value and its recognition.”

The story of Anna Maria Luisa is a fascinating one. Daughter of Cosimo III and Marga-

ret of Orleans and sister of Ferdinando and Gian Gastone, she became the “Electress Palatine” following her wedding in 1691 with William of Saxony, known as the ‘Elector Palatine.’

And yet even today, Anna Maria Luisa remains relatively unknown, despite the fact that it was she who brought Florence all of the assets belonging to the Medici family, thanks to the pact that she made with the Lorena that prevented the new dynasty from taking elsewhere all of the cultural heritage of Florence. Unlike other Italian cities such as Urbino, Ferrara, Mantua or Parma, Florence was able to keep its treasures.

Anna Maria Luisa was born on August 11th, 1667 and lived in Germany until her husband died in 1716, when she decided to return to Florence. After the death of her father Cosimo III in 1723 and of Gian Gastone in July 1737, she became the last descendant

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Florence News

New Gel Being Tested on Culture Week 2012 the “Rape of the Sabine” Museums for free from April 14 to 22 Substance intended to protect outdoor statues without changing color Lorenzo Picchi A new chemical substance intended to protect Florentine statues from bad weather began its testing period last month on the statues of the Rape of the Sabine, under the Loggia dei Lanzi in Piazza della Signoria.

The test will last for one entire month, and its results will be made public in mid-April.

The team that created the new protective substance was composed of experts from three different institutes, all of which are affiliated with the CNR, the Italian Central Committee for Research.

“The objective of the project is to understand which substance is the most suitable

to protect sculptures displayed outdoors from bad weather, says Magnolia Scudieri of the Restoration Department of Florentine Museums. “At this stage of research, we are looking for one capable of achieving this objective without changing the color of the statues, as has happened in the past. Currently we are trying one prevalently composed of ammonium salt that could be the best to reach our goal.”

Research and experiments on how to protect the statues displayed outdoors began in 2003.

Organization Accuses Dante of Racism Controversy over teaching Dante in city schools Dan Anderson A heated debate has been raging on social networks over the shock organization, “Gerush92,” demanding that schools stop teaching the Divine Comedy.

According to “Gerush92,” a ‘special adviser’ organization of the UN Economic and Social Council, the work of Dante is “offensive and discriminatory, both in vocabulary and in substance” against Jews, Muslims and homosexuals.

Divided into three parts – Hell, Purgatory and Heaven – the poem consists of 100 cantos, of which half a dozen were marked out for particular criticism by the group. However, Giorgio Rembado, the president of an Italian

teachers’ association thinks differently.

“It is wrong to judge Dante by the standards of today,” says Rembado.

Amongst the thousands of topics trending on social networks, twitter hashtag #divinacommedia has recently topped the charts. People everywhere are giving their input on this shock organization’s demand. But should this radical claim be taken serisously?

Although there is not much about “Gerush92” on the web, it is speculated that it is an organization of Jewish culture that primarily conducts controversial “opinion campaigns.”

“A Guide to the City” is the monthly supplement to www.theflorencenewspaper.com.

The Florence Newspaper is distributed throughout Florence in all key reference points for the English speaking community including hotels and hostels, universities and language schools, libraries, restaurants and cafes.

Editor-in-Chief (Direttore Responsabile) Lorenzo Picchi direttore@theflorencenewspaper.com

Managing Editor Claudia Niemann

Marketing Manager Denis Jusufbegovic ad@theflorencenewspaper.com

Printed at Nuova Cesat SRL Via B. Buozzi 21| 50145 Firenze

Executive Manager Anna Balzani anna@theflorencenewspaper. com Editor Erich Schrader

Layout and Design Narine Nalbandyan

Registered at the Tribunale di Firenze No. 5512, 08/08/2006 Contact us at: info@theflorencenewspaper.com Tel: 0559061542

Claudia Niemann

From April 14th until April 22nd, several state-run sights, including national museums, galleries, monuments and archaeological areas will be admission-free, sometimes even allowing longer operating hours.

Celebrated all over Italy, the 14th Culture Week is an initiative by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage to increase the value of Italy’s cultural patrimony. Among the many museums that participate in the event are the Uffizi and Accademia Galleries, Palzzo Pitti, the National Museum of Bargello and the Medici Chapels. Also included are lesser

known places and outdoor attractions such as the Boboli Gardens. Several other special events, including guided tours, unique exhibitions and classical music concerts are also offered throughout the city.

Considering the fact that UNESCO recently estimated that nearly 40% of the world’s cultural heritage lies in Italy, Culture Week offers the perfect opportunity to explore Florence’s phenomenal historical treasures; especially those that are normally closed to the public.

For more information visit www.beniculturali.it.

Behind the Times

Getting the Bus Ticket with a SMS

Survey shows 38% of Tuscans not using the Internet According to a recent survey, nearly 36% of Tuscan people have never used a computer, and 38% have never accessed the internet.

The results place Tuscany slightly above the average data for all Italian regions (53.6% of Tuscan families apparently access the internet, versus that of only 52.4% of Italian families).

The data is even more shocking when it is compared with that of Northern European countries, with a striking difference with countries such as Norway where only 5% of the population has never accesses the internet.

Florence is the first Italian city where it is possible to purchase a bus ticket via sms. The number to send the text to is 4880105. The price of the ticket is 1.20 Euro, to which has to be added the cost for the message which varies depending on the service provider.

4880105

City Faces Drought Warning Alert grows due to lack of rain City government officials are discussing possibilities and contingencies as the water shortage in Florence continues to worsen.

The water resources situation in the city is “similar to that of a drought period in late summer, and the reserve in the Bilancino reservoir – the lake that provides water to the entire city – has fallen to reach 36 million cubic meters, equal to almost half of what should have had this season,” according to city officials.

The alarm was raised today in the provincial counsel by the Counselor of Environment, Renzo Crescioli.

“In the period from March to November

Maddy Hartman

2011, the Florentine territory a total of 40 mm rain has fallen, which is even lower than the critical years like 2003 and 2007 when it recorded 70 and 58 mm,” Crescioli explained. “The following months to date have continued this trend.”

Given the level of drought that continues to exist, the ban on withdrawing water for improper use by minor courses has been extended to the principles of the Arno, the Sieve and the Bisenzio.

Although withdrawals for irrigation or industrial use were not prohibited, but if the drought continues it can be regulated and rationed.

Join Gonzaga in support for Africa Join GIF’s Forza students and Nuru International on the morning of April 13th for Be Hope to Her in Florence, an event designed to raise awareness about the need for clean water. With a yellow bucket on our heads, we will journey from Piazza del Duomo to Piazza Santo Spirito, where we will fill our buckets and walk back as if we were providing a day’s worth of water for our family just as millions of women and girls do across the globe every day.

Your optional €5 donation will go to Nuru International and their efforts in bringing clean water sources to developing nations. Gonzaga in Florence was the first and is still the only university outside the U.S. participating in this event. If you are interested in participate in this event please contact Federica Dionisio via email at: dionisio@gonzaga.edu or Christina Bernal at: cbernal@gonzaga.edu

Florence News

A Real Life da Vinci Code

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Mystery of “Lost Leonardo” solved?

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Claudia Niemann

cientists have potentially discovered a lost work, titled “The Battle of Anghiari,” by Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci in the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence.

According to Dr. Maurizio Seracini, prominent art historian from the University of San Diego, there is encouraging evidence of the masterpiece’s existence behind the wall of the Salone dei Cinquecento. Yet, it is covered by another priceless 16th century fresco - Giorgio Vasari’s “The Battle of Marciano.”

For more than 30 years, Seracini has done everything he can to prove this theory, chasing the legend of the “Lost Leonardo.” Hav-

the existence of a gap identified behind the Vasari mural. By using new high-tech instruments, the experts succeeded in capturing pictures of a hollow space and in taking endoscopic probes, revealing the same black pigment that da Vinci used for his most famous work – the Mona Lisa. The pigments include manganese and iron; a method of blending with which only da Vinci is thought to have experimented.

Since the workings at Palazzo Vecchio were interrupted by political and public outcry, the findings are inconclusive. But the latest discovery could be another important step in clearing up the mystery.

ing written several books on the myth, the native Florentine also happens to be the only real-life character in Dan Brown’s bestselling thriller “The da Vinci Code.”

Up to now, proof of the painting’s existence only survived in descriptions from observers, da Vinci’s sketches and in copies produced, including the famous version by Raphael.

Ever since Seracini found evidence of the original wall six years ago, he has struggled persistently for permission to start the

Although no definite assertion can be made, there are clues that the “Lost Leonardo” may have long ago been saved from destruction.

The findings suggest that by erecting a new wall in front of da Vinci’s fresco, Vasari wanted to preserve and respect the art piece. Allegedly, da Vinci began a mural in 1505 depicting a battle between troops from Milan and Florence, but left it incomplete after running out of paint. If its location is confirmed, experts will be facing the challenge of un-

Leonardo’s painting may be hidden behind the east wall of the Hall of the Five Hundred in Palazzo Vecchio research project. In 2007, the city council of Florence and the Italian Minister of Culture finally gave their approval of investigation.

However, the project, led by the National Geographic Society and UC San Diego’s Center of Interdisciplinary Science for Art, Architecture and Archeology, is disputed.

Several art historians criticize the inevitable damage to Vasari’s mural painting.

But the scientist’s effort might yet turn out to be a success. What Seracini and his team found behind the wall is highly promising, immediately prompting speculation. The newly found evidence could mark the culmination of a long, hard-fought effort to determine whether da Vinci’s “The Battle of Anghiari” has indeed been hidden behind the Vasari fresco for 450 years.

Finally, the research team has confirmed

covering a painting approximately 6 meters long and 3 meters tall.

Florence Mayor Matteo Renzi has openly expressed his support for the project, envisioning the possible display of the long-lost masterpiece for the 500-year celebration in 2012 to honor the Florentine explorer Amerigo Vespucci. Confident to find Leonardo’s hidden treasure in good shape, Renzi reassured the critics that any intervention area of Vasari’s painting would be restored immediately.

It is the intention of those involved in the surveys at Palazzo Vecchio to reveal another da Vinci-masterpiece – eventually unraveling an ancient mystery and providing the modern world with what could prove to be the most priceless art historical finding of the 21st century.

White Night 2012 on April 30th

City prepares for sleepless night

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overs of nocturnal activities should mark April 30th on their calendars, because this is when the entire city of Florence is in the mood to celebrate all night long.

After its success over the last few years, Florence will again host “La Notte Bianca,” an event transforming the historic center into an open air festival. Starting at sunset, the city’s streets and squares become stages for various live shows and concerts, encouraging anyone to join in.

Organized by the Florence Comune, the event is a way of renewing the image of a city most commonly known as the “Cradle of the Renaissance.” On “White Night,” Florence is provided with the opportunity to appear in its most modern, open-minded and lively form. More than ever, the city becomes a venue for multiculturalism, where people cheerfully indulge in art, music and solidarity.

Beside performances, art installations and

Claudia Niemann tours taking place throughout the city, the main museums and libraries invite visitors to free exhibitions, film screenings and readings. For short rests or midnight dinners, restaurants and bars will remain open until late. Especially for children, the event offers a separate program that includes theater, workshops and tours starting in the afternoon.

The sheer number of special events on the agenda will make it difficult to choose, keeping one on his or her toes all night. Whether joining a classic concert in the cathedral, watching street artists on Piazza Santa Croce or listening to live bands at Ponte Vecchio – this year’s “Creative Insomnia” will undoubtedly again fill the streets of Florence with boisterous culture and vitality.

Artists and associations interested in participating in the event are encouraged to present proposals for creative projects to the Comune di Firenze or the Museo dei Ragazzi in Palazzo Vecchio.

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Florence News

The Medici Woman To Whom Florence Owes Everything continued from page 1 of the Medici. As such, she was aware that after her death, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany would have passed under the rule of Francis III, Duke of Lorraine and husband of Maria Theresa d’Austria.

In Vienna, as the legitimate heir of all the assets of the Medici, Anna Maria Luisa signed the ‘Family Pact’ in 1773, keeping in Florence all the paintings and statues that adorn the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Pitti and all of the state museums that preserve family art collections, including those of gems and jewelry, books and manuscripts as well as Etruscan and Egyptian faience tiles. The collections include the works of artists like Donatello, Verrocchio, Bronzino, Cellini and Michelangelo.

Anna Maria Luisa died at age 76 on February 18th, 1743, leaving no direct descendants. She was buried in the New Sacristy of San Lorenzo.

The story of her statue begins 203 years after her death when Raffaello Arcangelo Salimbeni was chosen to sculpt the marble monument to Electress Palatine; a sculpture that defined his artistic career as well as his personal life.

Art historian Umberto Baldini, who helped rescue the artistic heritage of the city during the flood of November 1966, described the sculpture of the Palatine as “a masterpiece in marble that finds, in marble, counterpoints,

harmonies and eternal beauty.”

According to Ornella Casazza, fine art historian and former director of the Museo degli Argenti of Palazzo Pitti, Salimbeni was “one of the eight Italian sculptors chosen to participate in the contest held in London to sculpt the Monument to the Unknown Political Prisoner, and the following year his sketch was

Thanks to the pact that she made with the Lorena, she prevented the new dynasty from taking elsewhere all of the cultural heritage of Florence exhibited at the Tate Gallery in London, receiving the praise of sculptor Henry Moore.”

“The language of Salimbeni of those years,” says Casazza, “was already in line with that of the great sculptors and painters of the time in Europe, such as Lynn Chadwick Moore, Isamu Noguci Chain Soutine, Salvador Dalì, Joan Miro and Alexander Calder”.

Gianni Conti recalls how the mayor of Florence during that period, Gaetano Pieraccini, tried to impress upon the Florentines

Taxing Tourists Additional charges for visitors getting mixed reviews Carly Cummins

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ven with the current financial crisis, Italy still attracts tourists who seem to flock to the country’s most notable sites. Florence is packed with families on vacation or students on spring break who make navigating the streets a difficult task. This may seem like an inconvenience to Florentine residents, but to officials, it is ample opportunity for possible economic revival.

Since July 1st of last year, visitors to the city of Florence are subject to pay a “tassa di soggiorno,” or tourist tax. This tax applies to those staying in any commercial accommodation within the city. The tax amount depends on the rating of the hotel and can be

the importance of Anna Maria Luisa, which is why he organized a national competition to erect a marble statue in honor of the last descendant of the Medici.

After Salimbeni’s victory in the contest, several appeals by other competitors followed, many of whom were unhappy with the affirmation of a much younger artist. It took sev-

a maximum of five euro per person per night for up to five nights.

According to the Discover Tuscany blog, the money is sort of a tourist’s donation to the city.

“The money collected from the tax will be used to improve a number of tourism services including maintenance works, support to properties, public services and so on.”

The funds coming in from the tourism tax can also be seen as helpful to the city, since much of the tourist interest programs – arts, performances - have been experiencing budget cuts.

“Europe’s economic problems… are forcing arts institutions there to curtail programs,

eral years after his triumph for Salimbeni to finally achieve justice: in 1991, the sculpture was purchased by the City of Florence, by order of Mayor Giorgio Morales and Gianni Conti, both advised by Florentine architect Piero Micheli.

Salimbeni died on March 13th, 1991 without any certainty regarding the fate of his extraordinary work. On February 18th, 1995, the statue was placed outside of San Lorenzo, near the New Sacristy of the church.

tours and grants. As a result, some ensembles are scaling down their productions and trying to raise money from private donors…” stated a recent New York Times article.

A lot of Italy’s $2.5 trillion public debt can be attributed to the country’s problem of tax evasion. According to the New York Times, officials have been taking extra steps to fight the problem such as releasing campaigns against it and investigating business and car owners.

“In addition to banning cash transactions, it has included an ad campaign comparing tax evaders to parasites. There have been headline-grabbing raids on stores, hotels and restaurants in affluent Italian cities.”

The tourist tax could also be viewed nega-

Anna Maria Luisa de ‘Medici and, subsequently Salimbeni’s sculpture, deserve their appropriate place in the city to which they gave so much.

The initiative is being sponsored and supported by: the Commission for Equal Opportunities of the Region of Tuscany and its President Rossella Pettinati; City councilman Valdo Spini (who will present the motion to the City Council of the Palazzo Vecchio); Mara Baronti, President of the Association Il Giardino dei Ciliegi; Vincenzo Buongiovanni, President of the V.B. Art Center; Prof. art historian and former director of the Museo degli Argenti at Palazzo Pitti Ornella Casazza; Lucia Tesei Salimbeni, Salimbeni’s wife; and Gianni Conti, Editor of Il Giardino delle Idee magazine and former Assessor to Culture of the City Council.

To be involved with the initiative through The Florence Newspaper, visit our office in Via Maffia 37/r from Monday to Thursday, 11am to 6pm.

tively as a consequence of the tax evasion problems, taking the place of the lack of taxes collected to finance the upkeep of attractions. But just as some business owners unlawfully avoid paying taxes, the tourist tax could be avoided too by staying outside of the city limits.

“One of the complaints leveled at this tourist tax by the hotel owners of Florence is that it gives even further advantage to the agriturismi, B&Bs and farmhouse apartments in the countryside that are already able to offer prices with which city hotels have no possibility to compete,” said the blogger of Tuscany 2012. “This complaint is justified.

Country accommodations remain one of the great tourist deals in Italy.”

Historical Libraries in Florence MARUCELLIANA LIBRARY Via Cavour 43-45 Tel.: 055-2722200 / 21 06 02 / 21 62 43 Monday-Friday: 8.30 am-7 pm Saturdays: 8.30 am-1.45 pm http://www.maru.firenze.sbn.it

RICCARDIANA LIBRARY Palazzo Medici Riccardi - Via Ginori 10 Tel.: 055-212586/ 293385 Monday & Thursday: 8 am-5.30 pm Tuesday & Friday: 8 am-2 pm http://www.riccardiana.firenze.sbn.it

NATIONAL CENTRAL LIBRARY Piazza Cavalleggeri 1/a Tel.: 055-249 191 Monday-Friday: 9 am-7pm Saturday: 9am- 1pm http://www.bncf.firenze.sbn.it

OBLATE LIBRARY Via dell’ Oriuolo 26 Tel.: 055-2616512 Monday: 2 pm-7 pm Wednesday-Saturday: 9 am-12 pm http://www.bibliotecadelleoblate.it

F Explosive Easter Celebrations City Beat

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“Pasqua” in Florence is anything but ordinary Claudia Niemann

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ll around the globe, the Easter season offers a welcome opportunity to spend time with loved ones and to indulge in countless traditions that differ depending on culture, location and religion.

While some decorate trees with blown-out eggs or go on adventurous egg hunts, others warm themselves with eggnog at late-night Easter fires. These ordinary customs are familiar to everyone.

The Florentines, however, have a peculiar tradition of their own: “Scoppio del Carro” the Explosion of the Cart.

Annually, on Easter Sunday, the Piazzo del Duomo becomes the setting of a spectacular folk festival, seemingly surmounting all other Easter activities.

A morning’s historical pageant along the town streets and a performance of flag-wavers mark only the preparation for the actual highlight of seasonal festivities in Florence.

Around noon, a huge, gaudily decorated cart arrives at the steps of the Basillica di Santa Maria del Fiore, accompanied by medieval costumed revelers, various city officials and church representatives. It is drawn by tall white oxen, fitted out with flowery

headgear and robed in the Florentine banner.

When the Easter mass is over, a sacred mechanical dove, called “Colombina,” is sent down from the altar of the Cathedral, igniting the wooden cart that is loaded with fireworks. For about 20 minutes, the audience

becomes part of a somewhat odd show that is irrevocably reminiscent of Carnival celebrations – colorful, noisy and full of atmosphere.

While the purpose of this specific tradition is to assure a good harvest and subsequently a

good life, its origin is based on legend. The Explosion of the Cart dates back to Pazzino de ‘Pazzi, a Florentine warrior who bravely scaled the walls of Jerusalem during the first Crusade in 1099. Being rewarded with two shards of stone from the “Holy Sepulchre,” he brought them back to Italy and introduced a “sacred fire” to be paraded through the streets of ancient Florence. As a religious relic, the fire was supposed to light up the city during the holy season.

Throughout the centuries, the cart became more and more elaborate. It is said that the vehicle was constantly rebuilt in grandiose fashion by the Pazzi family, eventually towering above the crowds at more than 30 feet.

In order to provide amusement, it became a common ritual that a person, dressed as St. John, climbs up the wooden stage to throw candies and other treats to the people.

What remains of this tradition today is an impressive performance that undoubtedly puts the ordinary Easter Bunny in the shade.

Again this year, hundreds of visitors are expected, so you had better get up early to snatch a good place in the front row and experience up close how action-packed Easter celebrations are in Florence.

Americans in Florence

Art exhibit celebrates American impressionist painters

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fter the end of the American Civil War, there was a substantial rise in the number of American artists who traveled to Europe. Their main destination?

Florence.

Celebrating the ties between Florence and some of America’s greatest artists, the exhibit Americans in Florence aims to tell the story of a cosmopolitan circle of intellectuals and

in Florence. Some paintings show the academic training these artists received while in Florence while others reflect the encounter with French Impressionists or with other Italian painters. Florentine themes are the heart of this exhibition, though also evident is the way the lives of these artists intertwined with the lives of other Americans in the city.

The works of 32 American artists who lived in Florence are displayed and show a time

Women are often depicted in white dresses to convey a picture of innocence, purity, confidence and of hope for the future.

The exhibition comes during the 500th anniversary of the death of Amerigo Vespucci, who gave his name to the two continents of the Americas. This is one of the many ways to celebrate the links between Florence and America during the “Anno Vespucciano” during the year-long celebration, “Discover

America at Palazzo Strozzi.”

Americans in Florence will be on display at the Palazzo Strozzi until July 15. It is complemented by the exhibit American Dreamers: Reality and Imagination in Contemporary American Art, which is being staged concurrently at the Centro di Cultura Contemporanea Stozzina. The exhibit is curated by Francesca Bardazzi and Carlo Sisi.

da PINO FIR ST COUR SE

3.50 €

SECOND COUR SE WITH VEGETABLES artists who came from America to Florence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The exhibit is divided into six sections and includes original work that was little-known in Italy until now and produced by artists who traveled to Florence following the end of the American Civil War. These six sections each have a different theme to help explain the lives of the American artists living

when Florence, Venice and Rome became a muse for those wishing to view and study the art of the past. Through these paintings, the daily lives of the painters can be reconstructed for a view into the influences and characteristics of the art at the time.

The influence of women is very prominent in the exhibition, with paintings both by and about women throughout the six sections.

Elizabeth Murray

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Living In The City

Artigianato e Palazzo 18th Year for one-of-a-kind Craftsmen Festival in Florence

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he 18th edition of the exhibit Aritianato e Palazzo is taking place from May 11-13 in the garden of the prestigious Florentine residence, Palazzo Corsini, on Via della Scala, 115. Palazzo Corsini is a historic landmark that opens its doors once a year to enthusiasts of unique, handcrafted products.

The event will feature the works of Italy’s finest artisan masters from many different sectors including fashion, home décor, leather, jewelry, upholstery, embroidery, iron and steel (blacksmiths), food and more. The artisans will demonstrate their skills and techniques, and share trade secrets with visitors as if they were special guests with a personal invitation into the artists’ own studios. Visitors will also delight in opportunities to assist

Anna Balzani

these masters on-site during the production process. Plus, guests will enjoy Tuscany’s wines and gastronomical delicacies typical of the region, and relaxing among the garden’s lemon trees.

Florence is known for its insistence on quality, handmade productions, which are increasingly harder to find in today’s marketplace, and the city has stubbornly resisted the global trend towards mass production.

Events like Artigianato e Palazzo are essential for keeping handmade traditions alive, honoring and promoting the meticulous craftsmanship of Italy’s artisans, and offering distinguished patrons of the arts and the made-in-Italy brand a venue to observe and participate alongside the artisans themselves.

Da Vinci Work needs Restoration

Negative diagnosis for “Adoration of the Magi” Erich Schrader

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ne of Leonardo da Vinci’s early paintings, Adoration of the Magi, recently underwent a nearly four month study by Opificio delle Pietre Dure to evaluate the health of the Renaissance masterpiece.

The diagnosis?

The painting is in serious need of restoration.

The rigorous evaluation of the 15th century oil painting revealed a couple of things to the researchers: one, that there appears to be a slight alteration in the paintings original coloration and, second, that the structure of the wooden canvas could eventually prove problematic due to its poor physical state.

City and gallery officials have discussed the possibility and feasibilities of restoration with historians and experts, and the Uffizi plans to have a decision made later this month as to whether or not it will be restored.

If the decision is made to restore da Vinci’s work, careful steps would be taken to lighten

THE BEST KEBAB IN TOWN Mustafa, Billy and family Standup Kebab Piazza Salvemini 14 map code C4

the brownish hue of the paint to return the piece to its original color. Measures would also be taken to prevent any further separation of the wooden planks that make up the painting’s canvas According to officials, the topic of restoring artwork is not usually so controversial, but that when the work is that of the great Leonardo da Vinci, it tends to become something else entirely.

The possibility of restoration is one that has been discussed in the past with regards to da Vinci’s Adoration of the Magi, but was ultimately shot down out of a fear that any intervention at all might cause damage to the centuries-old Renaissance piece. Now, the debate will be reopened and officials will again have to look at the question of restoration, this time taking into account the four month survey of the painting’s health and the negative diagnosis.

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City Guide PUBS

SHOPPING

CHIC BOUTIQUE

EATING OUT D1

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ACQUA AL 2 via della vigna vecchia 40/r 055284170 www.acquaal2.it

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LE CARCERI

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BAKERY

MOMOYAMA SUSHI BAR borgo san frediano 10/r 055 2281840

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via dei Benci, 41/R 055 2281840 Special aperitivo on Wednesdays open for lunch and dinner

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www.redgarterflorence.com

RUTH’S

C3

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KEBAB

www.momoyama.it

FORNO SARTONI since 1933 via de’ cerchi, 34/R

BRUNCH

SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANTS

C3

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L’ANTICO TRIPPAIO

www.il-vegetariano.it

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C4

Via Verdi 37/R special first course 3.50 € second course with vegetables 5 € and sandwiches open every day

SPECIAL FIRST CHOICE COURSE + DRINK 6 EURO

IL VEGETARIANO

EATING OUT

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TRIPPA & LAMPREDOTTO

via delle ruote, 30R 055 475030

EUROADVENTURES europe’s student travel experts tel: 335 7189876 info@euroadventures.com

D2

Sdrucciolo de’ Pitti 8r freshly made gourmet sandwiches open every day 11am - 19pm free internet access

VIA BORGO S. APOSTOLI 33/R

VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT

ITALY & EUROPE

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SALUMERIA ENOTECA VERDI

quality in modern ambiance open for lunch and dinner 055 2399224

TRAVEL & TOURS

D2

via de’bardi 63/R 055 2398831 typical panini and tasty wine

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Lungarno Corsini 4/R

via della scala 16 055 216276

IL PANINO DEL CHIANTI

LO SDRUCCIOLO

BISTRO` DEL MARE

OFFICINA FARMACEUTICA SANTA MARIA NOVELLA

special 20% dicount for students

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055 283546

055 3247286

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SANDWICHES & CHIANTI WINE

IL BOCCALE

GUS TATTOO

C5

piazza della madonna della neve 055 2479327

055 218757

email: gymnasium.firenze@gmail.com

C3

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margherita and soft drinks 5 euro

055 238 23 83

LA SPADA Via della Spada, 62

IL GATTO E LA VOLPE SPECIAL OFFER

special 10% dicount for students

GYMNASIUM FITNESS CENTER

PIZZERIA & RESTAURANTS via ghibellina 151/R 055 289264 open every day

TYPICAL TUSCAN RESTAURANTS IL CANTINONE via santo spirito 6r 055 218898

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via dei cimatori 21/R 055 285487 margherita 5 euro, small 2.50 euro

ROMANTIC AND EXCLUSIVE TUSCAN PRODUCTS OPEN 7PM-11PM, CLOSED ON SUNDAY TEL: 055 217919

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C3

TYPICAL NEAPOLITAN PIZZA O’ VESUVIO

CLUB CULINARIO TOSCANO DA OSVALDO PIAZZA DEI PERUZZI, 3/R

all the best brands via del corso 21/R

TATTOO

C3

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BAR SAN FIRENZE /SINCE 1920 Piazza S. Firenze 1/r old bakery, restaurant, cocktail bar outside tables in the heart of florence in palazzo gondi

TUSCAN CREATIVE CUISINE

PHOTO LOCCHI SINCE 1937

GYM

LIGHT LUNCH

EATING OUT

C4

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via dei neri 20/22r, high quality since 1989

PERCHE NO?

since 1939 Via dei Tavolini, 19/R high quality

D2

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D3

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C3

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Map of

CHECK FOR LOCATION DES

SHOPPING 1 MARIA MARUSCHKA D1

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2 BARBERINO DESIGNER OUTLET B2

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36 SUNGLASSES FOTO LOCCHI C3

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BEAUTY A1

3 GUS TATTOO

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4 GYMNASIUM FITNESS CENTER B2

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B2

56 OFFICINA FARMACEUTICA

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SANTA MARIA NOVELLA

TRAVEL & TOURS 5 EUROAVENTURES

46 6

SERVICES 6 TIM CELL PHONES & INTERNET B2

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53

B3

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52 2

EATING OUT 7 THE DINER C3

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8 IL CANTINONE D2

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21

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33

9 AQUA AL 2 C3

56 4

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10 L’ANTICO TRIPPAIO C3

22

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11 LO SDRUCCIOLO D2

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12 BISTRO` DEL MARE C2

51

14

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C2 13 IL BOCCALE

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C2 14 LA SPADA

30

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15 LO SFIZIO

48

54

B4

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44

16 MOMOYAMA SUSHI BAR C1

10

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25

17 HOUSE OF SIZZLE C4

40

12

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18 RUTH’S C4

16

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19 GELATERIA DELLA PASSERA D2

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13

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20 GELATERIA DEI NERI D3

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8

37 OSTERIA SANTO SPIRITO D2

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38 IL GATTO E LA VOLPE C3

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19

39 PIZZERIA LE CARCERI C5

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37

41 IL VEGETARIANO A3

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lo io cc ru Sd

40 O’ VESUVIO C3

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42 IL PANINO DEL CHIANTI D2

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43 MESOPOTAMIA KEBAB C4

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44 PERCHE’ NO? C3

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48 FORNO SARTONI C3

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49 ENOTECA VERDI DA PINO C4

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54 LE GIUBBE ROSSE C3

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55 KOME

C4

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57 CLUB CULINARIO TOSCANO DA OSVALDO C3

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58 BAR SAN FIRENZE C3

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MAX 15 MINUTES WALKING TO

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Florence

SCRIPTIONS IN THE GUIDE

NIGHT LIFE 21 THE JOSHUA TREE PUB B2

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22 THE FIDDLER’S ELBOW/IRISH PUB B2

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C2 23 ONE EYED JACK

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C2 24 RED GARTER

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C1 25 FLET AMERICAN BAR

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C5 26 KITSCH AMERICAN BAR

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27 KITSCH DEUX A3

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28 ZOE D4

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27

C4 29 MOYO

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30 COLLE BERETO C2

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31 NAIMA C3

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32 SEI DIVINO C2

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33 SPACE CLUB B1

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34 BLOB CLUB C3

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35 MONTECARLA CLUB D3

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45 KIKUIA ENGLISH PUB C4

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46 MOSTO DOLCE B2

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47 SHOT CAFE B2

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47

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50 ANTICO BECCARIA PUB C5

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51 UNCLE JIMMY PUB C2

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52 THE FISH PUB B3

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53 THE CLUB HOUSE B3

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50 38 31

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49

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58 45 55

17 24 57 29

34 20

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THE DESTINATIONS FROM DUOMO

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City Guide NIGHT LIFE

HISTORIC CAFES LE GIUBBE ROSSE Since 1896 Piazza della Repubblica 13/14r BAR SAN FIRENZE Since 1920 Piazza di San Firenze, 1/R

MICROBREWERY & PUB C3

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C3

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PUBS THE JOSHUA TREE PUB via della scala 37/r open at 4p.m , pint 3 euro happy hour

piazza santa maria novella 7r open 12pm until 1 am

MOSTO DOLCE

B2

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via dei renai 13 brunch,light lunch, aperitivo,dj set www.zoebar.it

NFL SPORTS & LIVE MUSIC

C3

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B2

www.redgarterflorence.com

COLLE BERETO

C3

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NAIMA Via dell’Anguillara 54 happy hour from 6pm

piazza nazario sauro 2, 055 6288040 live music, dj set, theme parties

KYKUIA

Via de’ Benci, 43/R zona s.croce the oldest english pub open every night from 5pm- 2am

ANTICO BECCARIA

piazza beccaria 24r try one of the best beers in the city/ tables outside open every day

UNCLE JIMMY

Via De’ Pescioni 5/R Irish american pub Outside tables

THE FISH PUB

Piazza del mercato centrale 44/R florentine best party pub hip-hop, r&b, reggeton

CLASSIFIEDS To advertise with us for free: classifieds@theflorencenewspaper.com

Jobs Wanted Italian-English-German speaking girl, Master of Fine Arts looking for a parttime job, home décor also before selling your property, paintings to sell.

Email: daffodil445@gmail.com 2 Australian men, age 27 & 30, native English speakers with TESOL/CELTA qualifications looking for ESL teaching work in Florence, Sept 1-Nove 24 this year. Contact Nathan.

C2

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C4

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C5

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C2

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B2

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SEI DIVINO borgo ognissanti 42/R open 3pm until late cocktail bar, live music, dj set FLET AMERICAN BAR

KITSCH DEUX

via san gallo 22/r open 5pm-3am open for lunch too live music, dj set, tables outside

THE CLUB HOUSE

Help Wanted

27-year-old American female looking for morning/afternoon babysitting/teaching English/anything. Valid driver’s license, legal working papers.

References in Florence.

Email: la.piccolina4@gmail.com

Email: misuri.st.croce@gmail.com

C2

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B3

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CLUBS SPACE CLUB

C5

B1

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www.spaceclubfirence.com

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BLOB CLUB

A3

via vinegia 21/r 055 211209 open every night membership only

C3

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www.blobclub.com

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MONTECARLA CLUB

B3

Via de’ Ginori 6/r special buffet + drink 6 € Every night 6pm-10 pm

Email: clare.ryan2@mail.dcu.ie

C4

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Via De’ Pucci 5/A cocktail 5 euro shot 2.50 euro 10 shots 19 euro pitcher 10 euro open 10:30pm-2:00am

via palazuollo 37/ 055 293082 open every night

viale gramsci 1/r modern ambient,open for lunch too cocktail bar, dj set

Busy store in the heart of Florence seeks mother-tongue English speaking sales staff for full-time work. We are looking for experienced, self-motivated people with flexible schedules, who are confident speaking in front of large groups, and excellent service. Ability to work well others in fast paced environment is a must.

Email: ndespott@yahoo.com

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KITSCH AMERICAN BAR

Enthusiastic university graduate. Mother-tongue English speaker. TEFL qualification and experience. Seeking job as English tutor/au pair. Available to start immediately.

C2

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C1

piazza de’nerli dj set, cocktail bar, tables outside, hamburgers

Email: claramoon82@hotmail.com

D4

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SHOT CAFE

APERITIVO

Female experience Nanny, English mother-tongue, 29 years, enthusiastic energetic, warm, fluent in Spanish, advanced Italian&French, qualified English teacher.

piazza strozzi 5/r brunch,light lunch, aperitivo www.colleberetocafe.it

COCKTAIL BAR

the first irish pub in florence

ONE EYED JACK

MOYO

via dei benci 23 brunch,light lunch, aperitivo,dj set, www.moyo.it

via dei benci 33/r, 055 2344904 sports, dj set, live music,

SPORTS & COCKTAIL BAR map code

AMERICAN BARS ZOE

VIA NAZIONALE 114/r 055 6288040 HAPPY HOUR 3.30-7.30 PM

RED GARTER

www.thejoshuatreepub.com

THE FIDDLER’S ELBOW \IRISH PUB\

B2

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via de’bardi 2r 055 234 0259 Every night happy night dj set, cocktails

Classes/ Leisure activities Weekend TEFL Certificate. Learn to teach English with Teaching English in Italy in collaboration with Europass in downtown, Florence. During this 20 hr course, you’ll also get ideas for new job opportunities. We will provide you with everything you need to know about language teaching in just one weekend! Upcoming course dates: April 20th – 22nd, June 15th - 17th,

August 24th - 26th, September 21st 23rd Tel:0552345802; www.teachingenglishinitaly.com; Email: formazione@europass.it English lesson offered by Oxford Academic Teacher in Florence. Particular focus on Exam and University Preparation and British Pronunciation.

25 euro/hr Email: lessoninenglish@yahoo.uk

D3

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Kids services/ activities INSPIRING YOUNG ARTISTS. Art classes for toddlers to teens. ArtStart: Arts & Crafts classes ages 2-12. Studio A: Art Lessons ages 7& up.

Visit the website for more information or call alanna at 388-653-7453.

Artscapesbyalanna.com/classes.php Email: artscpaesbyalanna@gmail.com

Health, sport & wellness NATURAL MEDICINE: If you are tired of the same aches and pains come explore the holistic natural alternatives available to you. There is an answer for everything within you. www.viaggioconsapevole.com

Email: info@viaggioconsapevole.com

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Food & Wine

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Edible Easter In Italy A look at the traditional food of the holiday

at, drink and be merry” should perhaps be the official slogan for Easter in Italy. After months of Lenten observance for many, Easter represents not only a celebration of Christian rebirth, but of renewed human spirit for all. Just as spring itself ushers in a season of metaphorical cleansing from the doldrums of winter with warmer weather, a whirlwind of pollination and an explosion of both flora and fauna, Easter is a time of joy and revelry to be enjoyed by everyone, no matter the religion or system of belief.

The Easter food traditions of Italy are generally comprised of a selection of time-honored dishes and ingredients that are seen echoed across the peninsula, but in various interpretations. While regional versions of classic dishes are indeed commonplace, as is the case with certain pasta and meat courses, there is a sense of commonality amongst most Italian Easter fare. Two ingredients in particular though, hold a special place at the table.

Eggs are an essential component of an Italian Easter, both symbolically and veritably,

through the use of the ingredient as a cornerstone of the holiday meal. Representing fertility and life, eggs are exalted in a variety of ways, from savory to sweet and everything in between. Brightly colored hard boiled eggs and eggs made of chocolate are the delight of children and adults alike, while a number of traditional Easter time dishes include egg as a key ingredient.

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As with most holiday celebrations in Italy, food is a manifestation of all that is glorious in life, from the sacred to the temporal.

One greatly anticipated charmer of the Easter season is the Uovo di Pasqua, an oversized egg made of chocolate and filled with a surprise treat. The whimsical confection is traditionally presented to family and friends as an Easter present, and are often painstakingly decorated and wrapped in brightly colored metallic foil or cellophane, adding to the festive nature of the gift.

Named after the Italian word for “dove,”

The F.lli Zanobini Enoteca Since 1944 Via S. Antonino 47/r

S

pecialized in serving and selling wine, the F.lli Zanobini Enoteca was founded by the brothers Gino and Silvano in 1944, two sommeliers with an authentic passion for wine. The enoteca is located in the San Lorenzo area, near the Central Market.

The shop is simply furnished with wood shelves that contain a selection of over 2,500 bottles of wine, liq-

Colomba Pasquale is a dessert bread baked in the shape of the symbolic bird, and meant to represent a sign of peace. Made in the same method as Panettone, with a batter comprised flour, eggs, butter, sugar and candied fruit, the bread diverges from its Christmas counterpart, as it omits raisins from the recipe. The Colomba is usually topped with sugar and almonds as a finishing touch,

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”

Dejou Bencomo-Jasso

uors, sparkling wines. They also sell wines produced in the “Le Lame” estate in San Casciano Val Di Pesa, in the Chianti area.

A visit to this shop, where everything “speaks” of Bacco, is definitely worthy.

F.lli Zanobini specializes in both retail and wholesale supplies, liquors and other distillates, which would satisfy even the most demanding barman.

although some versions also incorporate chocolate.

An ancient and revered icon for both the religious and the secular, the “agnello” (lamb) is an essential element of the Italian Easter meal. Milk-fed lamb with a low fat content is the preference for most lamb dishes prepared as part of the Easter feast. In Lazio and the southern regions of Italy, lamb is most typically dressed only with rosemary and garlic,

and either roasted or grilled. When served, a final squeeze of lemon juice is usually all the dish needs to bring out the flavor of the meat.

In other regions of Italy, lamb is used in the creation of hearty stews featuring beans and potatoes, and in braised variations with herb infused broths and an abundance of fresh root vegetables. Lamb meatballs and pastas filled with a mixture of the meat and other ingredients, such as cheese, garlic, onion or herbs, are also commonly prepared. Along with lamb, other roasted meats, like goat and pig, add succulent abundance to the festive springtime menu.

For Italians, Easter is a time to rejoice through the sharing of good food and wine with good people, whether family, friends, or both. As with most holiday celebrations in Italy, food is a manifestation of all that is glorious in life, from the sacred to the temporal. Lovingly prepared and ardently savored, the Easter meal is a fleeting, unadulterated space in time to experience a glimpse of what peace on earth might look like, for at least one delicious moment.

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Style & Entertainment

A Symbol of Italian Culture

J. Lo Goes for Cavalli

The history and influence of the Vespa, the Italian-born scooter

Bryan Banducci

Lopez may wear Florentine designer for her marriage

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he rumor mill was abuzz with hints from a source that Jennifer Lopez plans to marry Casper Smart in an intimate ceremony in Kauai, Hawaii. However, a representative for Lopez shot down the source’s comment, saying that the story is 100 percent inaccurate.

Well, according to a recent tweet by Italian designer Roberto Cavalli, the rumors may not be mere speculation after all.

Cavalli posted a tweet on his website after supposedly receiving a call from Jennifer Lopez about a request for a certain type of dress.

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Celebrities such as Marlon Brando and Dean Martin were well-known Vespa owners of the era, contributing immensely to the image surrounding the scooters.

thus the brand was born.

Patents were filed by the Piaggio company in 1946 for “a motorcycle with rationally placed parts and elements with a frame combining with mudguards and engine-cowling covering all working parts,” of which “the whole constitutes a rational, comfortable motorcycle offering protection from mud and dust without jeopardizing requirements of appearance and elegance.”

Today, not much has changed from the breakthrough original design. Elements of the Piaggio Company’s aeronautic manufacturing influence can be seen in the aerodynamic front protection shield and compact, streamlined body shape.

Following the scooter’s public debut at the 1946 Milan Fair, it took a while for marketers and consumers to accept and embrace Vespas. Sales dramatically increased by

Lopez’s designer pal broke the news about her pregnancy back in 2007. The tweet has since been removed from Cavalli’s page.

If anyone were to design Lopez’s dress, it would likely be Cavalli. Lopez has modeled numerous dresses for the renowned designer over the years.

So the question remains: Does J. Lo plan to wed her current beau, Casper Smart in the near future?

It seems only time will tell. But one thing is for certain - Lopez will first have to finalize her divorce with ex Marc Anthony.

1948 and soon were increasing exponentially each year. By 1950, production had spread to foreign markets, and the Vespa was solidified as the Italian symbol of fun, freedom, youth and imagination. Their low running cost, ease of use, maneuverability and wide range of colors and customizations made them popular with young people and adults alike.

In 1952, the Vespa made its Hollywood debut in Roman Holiday when Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck rode through the streets of Rome, and scooters instantly became a worldwide cultural phenomenon. By this time, worldwide Vespa Club membership had reached 50,000 and the Vespa had become an icon and primary mode of transportation for Mods and punks in Britain. Celebrities such as Marlon Brando and Dean Martin were well-known Vespa owners of the era, contributing immensely to the image surrounding the scooters.

As Vespa’s popularity skyrocketed world-

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number of things come to mind when one thinks of Italy: great food and wine, leather manufacturing, Renaissance painters, old churches and of course, scooters.

Vespa scooters are an integral part of Italian society and have been a strong cultural icon since they exploded onto the market almost 60 years ago. The Piaggio Company manufactured the first Vespa scooter in Pontedera, near Pisa, in 1946 to address the need for a low cost transportation solution for post-war Italians.

Italy’s economy was in dire straits after the war, and the roads were severely damaged from bombing, which led to a decrease in automobile manufacturing. The first prototype design in 1944 was unsightly and bulky, but after going back to the drawing board, a second prototype was produced upon which seeing for the first time, Enrico Piaggio exclaimed with delight “Sembra una vespa!” (“It resembles a wasp!”); and

Maddy Hartman

wide, many more models and styles were introduced, and though many other companies such as Lambretta and foreign companies like Bajaj from India popped up to try to grab hold of the market, Piaggio has remained the top brand through the years due to serious brand loyalty from its buyers.

Walk just about anywhere in Italy and you will see traces of Vespa culture: hip kids walking together clutching scooter helmets, lines and lines of scooters parked along the sidewalks, scooters zipping past busses and cars along crowded narrow streets, and countless small specialty mechanic shops on every corner. The Vespa transformed Italians’ ideas about leisure and transportation and remains an eternal symbol of Italian history and culture that continues to remain relevant and popular to this day.

SCULPTURЕ LESSONS

ANY LEVEL

Sculpted 360 degrees Bas-relief Copy from plaster models Portrait Live model study Every student will have individualized instruction according to (one’s/the student’s) needs

Students will have the opportunity to work with diverse materials and techniques Three hours per week Studio d’artista Via del Campuccio 7/r (angolo Via Romana) 50122 Firenze Info: 329-5475468 E-mail: stella.battaglia@alice.it

Sport & Leisure

Backs Against the Wall

Fiorentina struggles to avoid relegation have less chance than Fiorentina. Still the last games of the season may reserve negative surprises, and odds of a possible Fiorentina’s relegation dropped from 50 to 13 after the defeat against Juventus. Extreme concentra-

Fiorentina is carrying on its fight to avoid relegation to Serie B in this last part of the 2011/12 season. After suffering a 5-0 defeat in the home game of March against historic rival Juventus, the team was bitterly

FIORENTINA’S NEXT GAMES: April sab 7 mer 11 dom 15 dom 22 dom 29 May mer 2

15.00 milan-fiorentina 20.45 fiorentina-palermo 15.00 roma-fiorentina 15.00 fiorentina-inter 15.00 atalanta-fiorentina 20.45 fiorentina-novara

Italian Dining

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Across Italian cheese traditionally made using buffalo milk hearty Tuscan soup with bread and vegetables dried fish eggs, usually tuna similar to Parmigiano-Reggiano, cheese made using sheep milk a Sicilian pastry desert typical Tuscan pate' is made with this original fish sauce from anchovies veined Italian blue cheese most common prosciutto traditional pasta from Emilia-Romagna and Marches

Experience Tuscany via riding or Vespa tour Dan Anderson Imagine a thrilling Vespa ride through historic, winding back roads, a tranquil journey on horseback, or a guided tour of an authentic Chianti winery.

This can all be experienced with the tour company that originated horseback riding and Vespa tours in Tuscany.

Fun In Tuscany has been at the cutting edge of new, alternative tourism since 2005 and continues to offer original choices to make your vacation stand out in your memory forever.

Along one of these journeys, you can expect to learn about wine tasting, discover the most gorgeous scenic views and visit a well-conserved 13th century castle where you can taste the different local specialties of Tuscan cuisine. Comfortable transportation is included to-and-from the sites where the tours begin.

Many will agree that these excursions are non-touristy, hassle-free and allow guests to

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truly experience Italy, not only on the surface, but also “behind the curtains.”

The guides are young, energetic, knowledgeable and extremely accommodating.

You may even rely on them to take pictures for you as you enjoy your ride.

Small groups are guaranteed and no pre-

vious experience is required for any of the tours. It is recommended to wear comfortable pants, closed shoes and, of course, bring your camera.

If you would like to find more information about Fun In Tuscany, you may visit their website at http://www.funintuscany.com/ or brows their reviews on TripAdvisor by searching for “Fun in Tuscany, Florence, Italy.”

www.funintuscany.com

Florentine Bundu Wins European Title Again

Aaron Keller and Erich Schrader

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13

Having Fun in Tuscany

tion remains the key to avoid a footballing humiliation that local supporters would never digest, considering the already increasingly declining affection to their team in the last two seasons.

contested by its supporters, forcing the Club to decide for a week retirement in Viareggio to prepare the following away game against Genoa. The danger was mostly psychological, since some of the other teams engaged in the battle to avoid relegations seem to

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Down Tuscan tomato-based bread soup common Lingurian sauce made using basil Italian word for ice cream vinegar made from reduction of cooked white Trebbiano grape juice Italy's largest fish export Italian aperitif made with white wine and bitters highest-priced Italian ingredient export where Barolo is from most common red wine produced in Tuscany Tuscan bread is traditionally made without this

Florentine boxer Leonard Bundu confirmed himself as European champion last March in a match against other Italian boxer Antonio Moscatiello. The match was played on March 23rd and Bundu won by K.O. in the fifth round. Bundu also announced through his spokesperson his intention to present Florence with the World championship.

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Travel

A Jewel among Jewels

Dejou Bencomo-Jasso

Discovering the town of Vernazza at Cinque Terre

protector against impending pirate attacks, it now houses a beautifully elegant restaurant.

The only town in the Cinque Terre to have a natural harbor, Vernazza’s placid, glasslike waters remain partially shaded by the watchful presence of Belforte high above. Piazza Marconi, the town’s main piazza, is in-

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cobblestone visiting friends at every storefront. Adjacent to the piazza and situated as if cut right from the rocky cliffs above, lies the serene Santa Margherita di Antiochia. Built in 1318, the church has stood for centuries as a beautiful beacon of welcome to weary sailors returning home from months at sea. A

A jewel carefully clasped between olive laden cliffside terraces and the endless blue of the Mediterranean, Vernazza is a quaint corner of Cinque Terre that is as much a treat for the eyes as the rest of the senses.

habited by colorful, barnacled fishing boats and locals alike. Nets lay out to dry in the golden sunshine, while fisherman share an afternoon drink and ladies shuffle along the

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hat begins as a mundane hilltop parking lot soon transforms into a magical portal, ushering unsuspecting travelers down into the candy-coated pastel and turquoise reflections of utterly enchanting Vernazza. The second town in the legendary Cinque Terre circuit, Vernazza is by far the most idyllic of the five locations, with its narrow archways and tiny, shaded pathways cutting through town like the river that once split Vernazza in two. A jewel carefully clasped between olive laden cliffside terraces and the endless blue of the Mediterranean, Vernazza is a quaint corner of Cinque Terre that is as much a treat for the eyes as the rest of the senses.

Historically known as a wealthy fishing enclave, Vernazza was first founded around 1000 A.D. and was eventually absorbed under the Republic of Genoa in late the 1270’s. The medieval Castello Belforte dominates Vernazza’s skyline, once a formidable

refuge from storms and a place of tranquility for its parishioners, the church’s small medieval windows look out to an endless horizon of sky meeting sea.

Where the once thriving fishing villages of Cinque Terre have given way to becoming tourist hubs for day-trippers, Vernazza is perhaps one of the last vestiges of a true Ligurian seaside community. The Vernazzese are intensely proud of where they come from, and make it a priority to preserve the integrity of what it means to be local, as demonstrated by the fact that cars are prohibited from entering into town and large scale hotels are simply non-existent. Where, in other parts of Cinque Terre, one might hear English and German echoing from corridor to portico, Italian or perhaps even the sing-song local dialect, inhabit the soundscape of Vernazza.

It is the quintessential Cinque Terre, a place that encompasses the very best of what one perhaps imagines when dreaming about this fabled stretch of land, and although Vernazza is by no means a secret, it remains a gentle ripple amidst the thunderous swells of its nearby cousins.

RISTORANTE PIZZERIA AMERICAN BAR

la spada

Every night 6 PM- 10 PM

BUFFET + DRINK

6€

Via de’ Ginori 6/R map code B3

055 211 427 www.theclubhouse.it

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Events

15

EXIBITS AMERICANS IN FLORENCE. SARGENT AND THE AMERICAN IMPRESSIONISTS Palazzo Strozzi, Piazza degli Strozzi March 3rd – July15th Open: Monday-Sunday 9am-8:00pm, Thursdays 9am-11pm Tickets: € 10

LOVETT & CODAGNONE- Contemporary art exhibition Museo Marino Marini, Piazza San Pancrazio April 20th – June 23rd Open: Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm (closed on Tuesday and Sunday) Informations: tel. 055219432, www.museomarinomarini.it

Informations: tel. 0552645155, www.palazzostrozzi.org

THE TAPESTRY GALLERY, Epiphanies of precious fabrics

DUFFY THE PHOTOGRAPHIC GENIUS. Retrospective of Brian Duffy, a famous fashion photographer

Uffizi Gallery March 20th – June 3rd Open: Monday- Friday 9:00am- 5:00pm.Closed on Saturdays and Sundays

MNAF- Museo Nazionale Alinari della fotografia, Piazza S. Maria Novella 14r January12th – May 20th Open: Monday- Sunday 10am-7:30pm (closed on Wednesdays) Tickets: € 9 Informations: tel. 055216310, www.mnaf.it

RODOLFO SIVIERO: COLLECTOR OF THE SACRED: when I find something beautiful…Crosses, bells and other liturgical objects from the collection Siviero.

Museo Casa Rodolfo Siviero, Lungarno Serristori 1-3 January 28th- April 25th Open: Mondays and Sundays 10am-1pm, Saturdays 10am-6:00pm Tickets: Free admission Informations: tel. 0552345219,www.museocasasiviero.it

MUSIC & CONCERTS THE STRANGLERS Viper Theatre, Via Pistoiese April 17th at 9:30pm

Informations: 055416812, www. viperclub.eu

LOREENA McKENNIT Obihall theatre, Via F. De Andrè April 18th at 9:00pm Informations: tel.0556504112, www.obihall.it

STEVE HACKETT Viper Theatre, Via Pistoiese April 17th at 9:30pm

Informations: 055416812, www. viperclub.eu

KILLING JOKE Viper Theatre, Via Pistoiese April 21st at 9:30pm

Informations: 055416812, www. viperclub.eu

TIZIANO FERRO Mandela Forum, Viale Paoli April 25th and 26th at 9:00pm

Informations: tel.055212320, www. teatroverdifirenze.it

LA TRAVIATA by Giuseppe Verdi Auditorium al Duomo Via de’ Cerretani 54 April 7th , 21st and 28th at 9:00pm Informations: www.musicainmaschera.it

ZUBIN METHA, concert Orchestra and Chorus of Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Music by R. Wagner, I. Stravinskij, A. Bruckner Teatro Comunale, Corso Italia 12 Thursday April 5th at 8:30pm, Friday April 6th at 8:30pm Tickets: € 40, 30,20 Informations: www.maggiofiorentino.it

ORT- EASTER CONCERT conducted by Daniele Rustioni, piano Lars Vogts, music by Beethoven, Sostakovich and Prokof’ev Teatro Verdi, Via Ghibellina 101 April 4th at 9:00pm Informations: 0552340710, www. orchestradellatoscana.it

JAPAN LAND OF ENCHANTMENT Palazzo Pitti, Museo degli Argenti, Galleria palatina, Galleria d’arte moderna April 3rd – July 1st Open: Monday- Friday 8:15am- 1:50pm.(Closed on Saturdays and Sundays) Informations: tel. 055290832, www.unannoadarte.it

FROM FATTORI TO THE 20th CENTURY.UNPUBLISHED WORKS FROM THE ROSTER, DEL GRECO,OLSCHIKI COLLECTION Villa Bardini, Costa San Giorgio 2 April 1st – November 4th

Informations: tel. 0552638599, www.bardinipeyron.it

DANCE FIREFLY DANCE SHOW by ANTHONY HEIL with EVOLUTION DANCE THEATER Teatro Verdi, Via Ghibellina, 101 April 20th at 8:45 Informations: 055212320, www. teatroverdi.it

FIRENZE TANGO FESTIVAL, 10th EDITION April 25th – May 1st Obihall theatre, Via F. De Andrè Informations: tel.0556504112, www.obihall.it

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL (UK 2012)

Cinema Odeon, Piazza Strozzi April 17th Shows: 3:30, 6:00, 10:45pm April 18th Shows: 3:30, 6:00, 8:30, 10:45pm April 19th Shows: 3:30, 6:00 pm

TO ROME WITH LOVE (USA 2012)

Cinema Odeon, Piazza Strozzi April 20th, 21st, 22nd Shows: 4:00, 6:00, 8:30,10:30pm April 26th Shows: 3:30pm

SPECIAL EVENTS

ORT- CONCERT conducted

by Daniel Kawka, cello Umberto Clerici, music by Kernis, Schumann, Brahms.

AVON RUNNING- WOMEN FOOT RACE

Teatro Verdi, Via Ghibellina 101 April 18th 9:00pm

Piazza Santa Maria Novella April 1st

April 27th , 28th , 29th Shows: 4:00, 6:00, 8:30,10:30pm

ALLA SCOPERTA DI NUOVI MONDI, 3rd Edition of Tues-

days at cinema Cinema Odeon, Piazza Strozzi Free admission

Informations: 0552340710, www. orchestradellatoscana.it

Informations: 05522957, www. avonrunning.it

FAR FROM HEAVEN (USA 2002) by Todd Haynes

SPORTS EVENTS

76th ART - INTERNATIONAL HANDICRAFT TRADE FAIR – the art of making

(USA 1990) by Tim Burton Tuesday April 17th at 8:30pm

FIORENTINA VS. CHIEVO

CLASSICAL MUSIC, OPERA AND BALLET

Informations: tel. 05523885, www.unannoadarte.it

April 1st at 3:00 pm Stadio Comunale Artemio Franchi Viale Manfredo Fanti, 4a

FIORENTINA VS. PALERMO April 11th at 8:45 pm Stadio Comunale Artemio Franchi Viale Manfredo Fanti, 4a

FIORENTINA VS. INTER April 22nd at 3:00 pm Stadio Comunale Artemio Franchi Viale Manfredo Fanti, 4a

Fortezza daBasso April 21st – 29th

Informations: 05549721, www. mostrartigianato.it

CINEMA THE RAVEN (USA 2011) Cinema Odeon, Piazza Strozzi April 1st Shows:4:00 6:15, 8:30, 10:30pm April 2nd Shows: 5:30, 8:30, 10:30 pm

Tuesday April 3rd at 8:30pm

EDWARD SCISSORHANDS

Informations: www.odeon.intoscana.it

FILM MIDDLE EAST NOW

International film and documentary festival on culture and society of Middle East countries Cinema Odeon, Piazza Strozzi April 12th – 16th Informations: www.middleastnow.it

HONG KONG FILM PANORAMA

Cinema Odeon, Piazza Strozzi April 23rd - 24th – 25th

Informations: 0552705233, www. odeon.intoscana.it