Felice Anno Nuovo
Returning from Christmas in Blighty to welcome in the New Year, Florence put on a marvellous show. My personal favourite - and very close to where I live - a classical music concert held in the Piazza della Signoria. In the Loggia dei Lanzi, under the arches and watchful eyes of classical sculptures, the Akademic Chernivtsi Philharmonic Society Symphony Orchestra conducted by Giuseppe Lanzetta played Viennese waltzes. The square was filled with beautiful music and packed with
Medieval magic
A successful first trimester is celebrated with carols, candlelight and a wander discovering the most beautiful cribs and nativity scenes across the city. The Christmas lights and window displays seem to compliment rather than cheapen the history and heritage here. Somehow Firenze holds on to its medieval magic. Ancient narrow streets, arches, bell towers, the slow moving river and worn flagstones tell a story of Christmases past. If we closed our eyes and ears to open them i
Holding firm and fast
Warm colours on a cool day - a long late summer delivers a heartening glow to earthy tones on a clear, clean, fresh December day. The last bastions of Autumn hold fast in the wintery sunlight until a gusty Northerly strips them bare. For now, the trees are dressed. Florentines move quickly, holding fast onto hats, scarves and warm memories. FAA students, like moles rising and returning in the dark, work happily and hard at their easels for as long as the northern light permi
