Tuscany at Expo 2015 Milano

Florence and Tuscany among the protagonists of the upcoming Universal Exhibition

The upcoming Universal Exposition will make Italy the focus of the entire world’s attention for six months, from 1 May to the end of October. 130 participating countries, 15 million visitors expected, for an event of epic proportions where Milan, where the event will be held, will be the protagonist but so will Tuscany. Firstly, our region will be there in an exhibition space of 300 square metres in the Italian Pavilion for four weeks, from 1 to 28 May 2015, while, for the duration of the event, an institutional representation and international relations office will be available.

Moreover, the programme of the Tuscan Region’s external Expo events, from May 1 to October 31, will include over 30 events including promotional events, B2B meetings, exhibitions, conferences, lectures, show cooking and wine bars: an integrated project to enhance and promote the excellence of Tuscany that combines exhibition spaces with cultural, tourist, scientific and economic content.

Appointments and conferences will be held in the picturesque setting of the Chiostri dell’Umanitaria, just a stones throw from the Cathedral, in the heart of the city. But what will be going on in Florence during the Expo?

Here is a short guide to what is on (the events listed are the ones confirmed in mid-March, release date of our magazine, ed.). From Friday 4 to Sunday 6 April there will be games and fun at Foody il Festival dei bambini (Children’s Foody Festival): children can learn about the topics linked to the Universal Exhibition while playing and they can meet Foody, the mascot of Expo Milano 2015, and get to know about the issues related to the event.

The Sala d’Arme in Palazzo Vecchio presents Magnificent, the incredible story of the beauty that revolutionised the world. A show created by digital storyteller Felice Limosani, a mix of poetry and technology: a visual and musical story, narrated in Italian and English, which tells us about the beauty and the magnificence of the ‘new men’ of the Renaissance and the future. An event for everyone, which will appeal to an international audience (the project was created by the Mus.e association).

Produced by Studio Grassi & Partners in collaboration with Promofirenze: from April 30 to October 31, I-Dome, a multimedia installation in the Cortile Nuovo at the Palazzo Vecchio, will display what the city has to offer and will be a hub and an information point to help visitors discover the outstanding aspects of our region. From May to October, in the San Firenze complex, with La casa delle eccellenze (The House of Excellence), the city will show all visitors the art and the wealth of its artistic productions: over 500 square metres of exhibition space for the excellent and innovative products of Florentine artisans in the fields of crafts, food and wine.

I giorni del fare (The Days of Doing): innovative, historic design companies will make up a schedule of guided tours to discover the processes and ideas that generate innovation. From May 28 to October 15 , Orti e cenacoli (Gardens and Suppers): a few green areas of the city, such as Villa Bardini and the Faculty of Agriculture at Cascine, will become places for growing organic and indigenous products that, thanks to the mastery of six star chefs, will become evocative banquets in monumental Florentine last suppers.

They will be held at San Marco, Ognissanti and Santo Spirito. Finally from June 20 to September 30, La festa del pane (The Bread Festival): to celebrate the culture of grain, a symbol and basic element of our diet. The Orsanmichele Museum will host an exhibition that will trace the history and culture of this ingredient. At the end of September, in the streets adjacent to the Museum, there will be an exhibition on bread-making with the cooperation of companies who work in that sector. For more information: www.expo2015firenze.it