Unsurprisingly in an Italian city famed for such beauty and creativity that it may even lead to attacks of Stendhal syndrome, there is an annual celebration of creativity in the form of the ART International Arts and Crafts exhibition in Florence, Italy.
In this crisis period Italy’s army of capable craftsmen and women need a helping had, as they have apparently been suffering from sales which have been spiralling downwards. And as the ART 2009 site puts it:
ART 2008, the International Handicraft Fair, is not only a trade show, with over 700 exhibitors; it is a cultural event as well, which crosses Florence’s and Tuscany’s history. Note too that although it describes itself as a ‘handicrafts’ fair, food and drink are also on display too.
This leaves one in no doubt as to the importance of this annual event in Florence. Read on to find out when and where ART 2009 is being held.
ART 2009 – When and Where
When: From Friday, April 25 to Sunday, May 3, 2009.
Where: Fortezza da Basso, Viale Strozzi 1, 50129 Firenze – Find Fortezza da Basso on Google Maps here.
Don’t Miss!
Verde d’ARTista ‘The Green Artist’ – an outdoor display area down on the banks of Florence’s river Arno. This area is dedicated to environmentally friendly craftsmen to allow them to display products related to the management of both public and private open spaces.
Italian region,Piedmont, and Italy’s neighbour, France, are ART 2009’s honoured guests who will be showing off a wide selection of handicraft and food products.
Stop reading, start speaking
Stop translating in your head and start speaking Italian for real with the only audio course that prompt you to speak.
Indeed, there will be something for everyone seeing as there are more than 700 exhibitors.
Opening hours:
From 10.00am to 11.00pm
Last day 10.00am to 8.00pm
Admission Price: €5 or €4 reduced rate.
Please leave those art loving dogs, and presumably other pets, at home, as they will not be allowed in.
Although the site states that it is a trade fair, it is not, and the general public are more than welcome.
So, if you happen to find yourself in Florence on the dates mentioned above, leave your dog at home, or in the hotel, and head on over. If you can run to it, make a purchase and you will be helping Italy’s struggling craftsmen and women out too.
Make a note of this event in your dairies, or on your iPhones. It may well be just the thing, especially if you happen to encounter one of those dull and rainy days which sometimes occur in Italy in April-May time.
Find out more by visiting the official web site: ART 2009
