Florence Biennale, in the supermarket of art

Florence Biennale, in the supermarket of art

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The XIth Florence Biennale, a cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary event themed eART – Creativity & Sustainability, hosts more than 400 artists (mainly pictorial works  – 90%) from over 70 countries around the world. Dialogue among civilizations through art, and also values such as peace, diversity and respect for life have always been the principles inspiring the Florence Biennale, which is committed to fostering awareness of the importance of art and the role of artists in societies by reviewing history while looking at the present for a sustainable future of creativity. A programme of collateral events such as conferences, lectures, workshops, performances and video screenings will enliven the exhibit.
Florence Biennale at Fortezza da Basso, from 6 to 15 October 2017

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His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama in Florence: «This must be the century of dialogue»

His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama in Florence: «This must be the century of dialogue»

PHOTOS & SPANISH VERSION BELOW

His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama has inaugurated on September 19th the Festival of Religions of Florence 2017 at the Forum Nelson Mandela. In his speech, the Dalai Lama praised the European Union as a great contributor to making peace, and pointed on the need for Russia and all the countries in the continent to focus also on this task. He wished for a similar alliance between Asian countries, among Africans and Americans, achieving a great union of humanity through which conflicts would be eradicated. «Man should use intelligence to cultivate values ​​like love, instead of putting it at the service of anger to generate conflicts and wars (…). This century must be the century of dialogue.» He also criticized the Western educational system in which studies focus more on the material, rather than on promoting the inner values ​​of the human beings, among whom love prevails. The intervention ended with a round of public questions.…

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Fish delights by Ultima Spiaggia at San Lorenzo market

Fish delights by Ultima Spiaggia at San Lorenzo market

PHOTOS & SPANISH VERSION BELOW

Located in Spazio 3 on the ground floor at San Lorenzo market is Ultima Spiaggia. The fact that the stall looks like the most seedy and modest place in Florence (cardboard plates, paper tablecloths, plastic cups and a tiny bar with shabby stools) drove me to fall in love with it. However, its main attraction is the fried fish prepared with great care: tiny squid, cod and prawns with fries. The abundant dishes by this traditional fishmonger cost between 8-10 euros and are always accompanied by a local white wine for just one euro tasting as a reserve. The men at the counter are indeed peculiar, resembling tanned sailors with tattoos from Querelle de Brest.
Open from 7:30 a. m. to 2:30 p. m. (there are queues from 1:30 p. m.); Sundays closed…

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Sala della Niobe, a passage not to miss at Uffizi Gallery

Sala della Niobe, a passage not to miss at Uffizi Gallery

PHOTOS & SPANISH VERSION BELOW

Room 42 or Sala della Niobe is my favourite area at the Uffizi. An spectacular frame created in 1781, during the Neoclassical period, to house the ancient sculptures of the Villa Medici in Rome. The pieces represent the Greek myth of Niobe, the daughter of Tantalus and wife of Amphion, who witnessed the murdering of her seven children in the hands of Apolo and Artemisa as an act of revenge to their mother, whom Niobe had previously mocked. The ones at the hall are Roman copies of Hellenistic originals, moved to Florence after their discovery in 1583. The walls at Niobe also display some canvases; two signed by Rubens, in baroque style. The decoration of this notable room was by Peter Leopold of Lorraine.

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