The Rificolona in Florence

Book a stay in Florence for 7th September 2009. The city will host the Rificolona, a celebration mainly for children, which is held on the eve of the Madonna’s Nativity, in Piazza Santissima Annunziata. Some people believe that the Rificolona stems from the arrival in Florence of the farmers and mountain populations from Casentino and Pistoia, looking to celebrate the religious event in the Florentine church and making the most of the possibility to sell their products at the fair held in the same square on 8th September.

The farmers had torches and lanterns with them for lighting their way into the city. The first “rificolone” (paper puppets with a light inside) were made by the inhabitants of Florence, inspired by those lanterns. Hanging from the windows of the houses, they managed to create an original and appealing environment. This is a historical and traditional event, that promotes and enhances and attachment of the inhabitants to their land.

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The Unicorn Festival in Florence

Make an appointment with fun in Vinci, in the province of Florence : from 25th to 26th July 2009 a role-play and comic book fair is taking place. The Unicorn Festival, a display of spectacle, and aimed particularly at children and young people, is the chance for fans of the genre to meet up. Every year sees more and more increasingly demanding people arriving, all due to the Fair's continual development of innovative themes and offers. Everything takes place in a traditional medieval context, accompanied by enchanting Celtic songs and fascinating dances.

Horror Fantasy plays a central role, and a special journey route will be set-up; one of the town's streets will also be the scene for horror role-playing. Expect to see lots of competitions, such as 'The Best Fantasy Creature' and 'Magic Arts Duelling'. Celebrated guests attending: Sergio Stano and Michele Madda, designer and writer of the 'Dylan Dog' comic book, published by Sergio Bonelli.

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USA Election Night in Florence

During the U.S. presidential elections, the Association Toscana USA is holding an interesting series of events that will allow all U.S. citizens on holiday in Florence, and anyone interested, to follow so original and involving the election of the future President of the United States of America.

From tomorrow October 15 to November 4 at the Saschall, the initiative will propose debates, concerts, exhibitions and tasting of typical American and Tuscan foods, culminating with the Election Night that will be followed on giant screen and on the Internet from 6 pm to 4 am next morning, also assisting at the examination results.

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September in Florence with Grapes and Wine

Florence and its province celebrate the month of grapes and wine, with a series of folk events tied to wine traditions that in these territories are particularly rooted.

Both the old town of Florence and the neighbouring localities are preparing are ready to host a series of engaging and exciting events in honour of grape harvest and its fruits: Friday 12 to Sunday 14, in Greve in Chianti, the XVIII Exhibition of Chianti Classico; from 25 to 28, in Rufina, XXXIII edition of Bacco Artigiano (Bacchus Craftsman) that on Saturday 27 will also involve the squares in Florence with the arrival of Carro Matto (Dotty Float) followed by the Historical Parade; moreover on Sunday 28 in Impruneta, with the Festival of Grapes and the parade of allegorical floats.

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St. John's Day

On June 24, Florence celebrate the feast of St. John the Baptist, patron of the city, a day rich of interesting and involving events for both tourists and for the Florentines. Among the most fascinating folk events in Florence, this appointment also offers the tournament of "soccer in livery”, a competition that has its roots in the Medicean Age and that today takes place every year in Piazza Santa Croce, the day of St. John, among the four districts of the historic town: players of the district of S. Spirito form the team of "Whites", those of S. Maria Novella the "Reds", those of S. Croce the "Azures" and those of S. John the "Greens".

The event is preceded by a historic parade through the streets of the city and ends in the evening with the fireworks "i fochi".

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Florence's Amico Museo

Also this year the traditional initiative "Amico Museo" (Friend Museum) is going to renew: from May 3 through 18 will be made available to the public several opportunities to live, in a really striking way, the immense and extraordinary artistic heritage preserved in museums in Florence and province.

The event is organized into several sections, based on the themes proposed by the museums themselves: depending on the chosen theme, it will therefore be possible to visit some museums at night, some sites usually not easy accessibility will be opened , it will be possible to take advantage of special pathways dedicated to children or families.

For the full programme of the event click here.

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