mercoledì 25 maggio 2011

STUDY ABROAD Independent study: Made in Italy and successful Italian business models

Made in Italy and successful Italian business models

Independent study (15 contact hours, 1 contact hour: 45’,  of lesson and 30 completely independently by the student)

Rationale and Description 
Italy provides models of excellence in business in various sectors and industries. Made, styled, designed in Italy has become, over times,  synonymous of high quality products and processes.
This course will focus on the most important fields that have contributed to the success of the “made in Italy” brand and label, that is, the industrial design, food and  fashion industries.
The course will focus also on the positive elements and possible threats of the “Italian creative entrepreneurial business model” as opposed to other international business models.
One of the key issue of the course is represented by the possibility offered to the student to compare the Italian Business model (through a series of conceptual frameworks and  cases) with the prevalent business models present in the U.S. and have the possibility to integrate the two approach. Approaching business with a blend of different perspective and approaches is a key element of success in the current global economic scenario.

Philosophy and Approach

The approach in the classroom is based on active learning. The class will be a combination of lecture/discussion, in-class exercises, out-of-class exercises, case analyses, presentations and personal reflections. This will provide the student with multiple ways to learn about entrepreneurial concepts related to Italian business excellence.


Learning Objectives
The program’s  main objective is  to guide the student to understand and acquire direct knowledge of Italian business expertise in different areas from creative, entrepreneurial, marketing and strategic perspectives.

 By the time students complete this program, the student will :
  1. Understand the economic, historical, technological, societal and global implications of successful Italian entrepreneurship;
  2. Experience directly Italian Excellence in different business sectors;
  3. Understand  which are the key success factors for competing successfully in a global marketplace in luxury businesses;
  4. Understand the difference between made, styled and designed in Italy;
  5. Appreciate the marketing fashion – design niche approach as opposed to the post industrial heavy advertising - mass market approach;
  6. Understand how the food – wine -  hospitality, fashion and industrial design industries work:  key success factors and SWOT analysis.
  7. Compare the rational business model and approach with the creative – entrepreneurial business approach;
  8. Integrate the positive factors of different approaches and business model (with particular attention to Italy and U.S. prevalent business models).
.

List of possible program contents

  • Historical, technological, societal and global implications of Italian entrepreneurship and Italian Business Excellence. Competitive strategies of SMEs (the Italian perspective);

  • Italian Business Excellence: environmental analysis and key success factors. The rational design-chaotics approach and the emotional entrepreneurial approach to strategic business development;

  • Italian Business excellence in industrial design: business model,  key success factors and Italian key successful players; case analysis;

  • The fashion Industry, the business model and the key success factors,  successful key players.  Defining fashion and luxury;

·         Italian Business excellence: segmentation of the luxury industry: case analysis from the fashion industry;


  • Italian Business excellence in fashion: case analysis;

  • The fashion Industry (cont’d). Branding as positioning and storytelling. The product development process;

 

·         Italian Business excellence in fashion: business leadership in luxury and fashion:  case analysis;


  • Italian Business excellence in the food- wine hospitality sector; business model and key success factors;

 

·         Italian excellence in the food- wine hospitality sector: case analysis.




mercoledì 18 maggio 2011

STUDY ABROAD ECONOMICS: Made in Italy and successful Italian business models (A 2 week intensive course)




Made in Italy and successful Italian business models
(A 2 week intensive course)

Course Rationale and Description 
Italy provides models of excellence in business in various sectors and industries. Made, styled, designed in Italy has become, over times,  synonymous of high quality products and processes.
This course will focus on the most important fields that have contributed to the success of the “made in Italy” brand and label, that is, the industrial design, food and  fashion industries.
The course will focus also on the positive elements and possible threats of the “Italian creative entrepreneurial business model” as opposed to other international business models.
One of the key issue of the course is represented by the possibility offered to students to compare the Italian Business model (through a series of conceptual frameworks, cases, guest speakers, field trips and site visits  to excellent Italian Organizations) with the prevalent business models present in the U.S. and have the possibility to integrate the two approach. Approaching business with a blend of different perspective and approaches is a key element of success in the current global economic scenario.

Course Philosophy and Approach

The approach in the classroom is based on active learning. The class will be a combination of lecture/discussion, in-class exercises, out-of-class exercises, case analyses, site visits, presentations and personal reflections. This will provide the students with multiple ways to learn about entrepreneurial concepts related to Italian business excellence, and to demonstrate their capabilities.


Course Learning Objectives
The course’s  main objective is  to guide students to understand and acquire direct knowledge of Italian business expertise in different areas from creative, entrepreneurial, marketing and strategic perspectives.
 By the time students complete this course they will :
  1. Understand the economic, historical, technological, societal and global implications of successful Italian entrepreneurship;
  2. Experience directly Italian Excellence in different business sectors;
  3. Understand  which are the key success factors for competing successfully in a global marketplace in luxury businesses;
  4. Understand the difference between made, styled and designed in Italy;
  5. Appreciate the marketing fashion – design niche approach as opposed to the post industrial heavy advertising - mass market approach;
  6. Understand how the food – wine -  hospitality, fashion and industrial design industries work:  key success factors and SWOT analysis.
  7. Compare the rational business model and approach with the creative – entrepreneurial business approach;
  8. Integrate the positive factors of different approaches and business model (with particular attention to Italy and U.S. prevalent business models).
.
Throughout the course, students will practice cognitive, interactive, and teamwork skills, including analysis, synthesis, evaluation, reflection, critical thinking, problem solving, critiquing and communicating to meet course objectives.
Course contents

  • Historical, technological, societal and global implications of Italian entrepreneurship and Italian Business Excellence. Competitive strategies of SMEs (the Italian perspective);

  • Italian Business Excellence: environmental analysis and key success factors. The rational design-chaotics approach and the emotional entrepreneurial approach to strategic business development;

  • Italian Business excellence in industrial design: business model,  key success factors and Italian key successful players; case analysis;

  • The fashion Industry, the business model and the key success factors,  successful key players.  Defining fashion and luxury;

·         Italian Business excellence: segmentation of the luxury industry: case analysis from the fashion industry;


  • Italian Business excellence in fashion: case analysis;

  • The fashion Industry (cont’d). Branding as positioning and storytelling. The product development process;

·         Italian Business excellence in fashion: business leadership in luxury and fashion:  case analysis;


  • Italian Business excellence in the food- wine hospitality sector; business model and key success factors;

·         Italian excellence in the food- wine hospitality sector: case analysis.




martedì 17 maggio 2011

Odeon in Toscana presents on 23th MayODEON FLORENCE Italian Premiere of Helena Norberg-Hodge film The Economics of Happiness

Odeon in Toscana presents on 23th May
Italian Premiere of Helena Norberg-Hodge film
The Economics of Happiness

Original English Language with Italian Subtitles
Helena Norberg-Hodge is a writer and environmental activist, known all over the world and winner of the Right Livelihood Award in 1986. She is author of Ancient Futures, translated in more than 42 languages. She currently writes for   The Ecologist, Resurgence, and YES! Magazine, and she is member of  International Commission on the Future of Food and Agriculture. 
“A must-see film on the future of the Planet”
Zac Goldsmith, UK Parliament Member
“A powerful film that cuts deeply to the hearth of global crisis. Magnificent!”
David Suzuki, Television Presenter and environmentalist
 “A rare thought-provoking and inspiring new film, sure to make BIG NEWS in the local-global debate
The Santa Barbara Independent

At the premiere we are pleased to host Dr. Vandana Shiva (Right Livelihood Award 1993 ), philosopher, ambiental activist and one of the voice of the film.
Cinema Odeon, Piazza Strozzi, Firenze.
Monday 23th May, 8.30 p.m.

lunedì 16 maggio 2011

ISTITUTO EUROPEO, Florence – Italy, is seeeking interns for marketing & journalism

ISTITUTO EUROPEO, located in Florence – Italy – is seeeking interns (languages; English, Spanish, German, French) for marketing. & journalism ISTITUTO EUROPEO offers Italian in the morning and a position in the marketing and journalism office in the afternoon.

Email Fabrizio to info@istitutoeuropeo.it

Gde David? – Florenz und der perfekte Körper von Ingeborg Robles (Schriftstellerin)

Gde David? – Florenz und der perfekte Körper
von Ingeborg Robles (Schriftstellerin)

Wie oft schon bin ich nicht aus meinen Gedanken gerissen worden, in denen ich mehr ging, als die Füße auf den Straßen, die ich beschritt, in einem babylonischen Ansturm der immer gleichen Frage: „Donde está David?“ „Gde David?“

Einen kurzen Augenblick dauerte es jedes Mal, bis ich mich besonnen hatte, daß nicht nach meinem David, nicht nach deinem David, nicht nach diesem oder jenen, Freund, Vater, Vertrauter, Kollege, oder Sohn, sondern immer und überall in dieser Stadt nach dem einen David gefragt wurde, nach dem David, der allen gehörte, der in der ganzen Welt bekannt war, den alle sehen wollten, in Wirklichkeit.

Armer David! Deine Achillessehne erträgt kaum noch den Druck deiner schönen, aber auf die Dauer ungesunden Haltung, die unzähligen Schritte deiner Bewunderer donnern wie kleine Erdbeben und erschüttern den Boden unter dir, feine Risse ziehen sich bereits wie ein versponnenes Gewebe, ein gefährliches Netz durch deinen unbedingt zu erhaltenen Körper. Selbst die Stimmen der vielsprachigen Führer werden dir vielleicht gefährlich, wenn sie die Luft um dich in Schwingungen versetzen und dir wie kleine Steinschleuder an die Haut fahren. Die Flüssigkeit, die kaum sichtbar aus den vielen Mündern strömt, die vielen Luftzüge hinter den aufgerissenen Lippen, das Wispern und die Ausrufe, spitze Schreie des Überwältigtseins, all das, und vor allem das dauernde Trommeln und Tosen Tausender Füße, täglich, besorgt die Experten, die versuchen, wenigstens hier und da einen Vorschlag einzubringen, könne man nicht zum Beispiel die modernste Technik einsetzen, um wenigstens die laut erklärenden Führerstimmen, welche die Luft um den David in so beängstigende Schwingung versetzen, auf ein Minimum an Lautstärke zu reduzieren, so daß sie vielleicht in Zukunft jedem dich Anstaunenden direkt ins Ohr flüstern, damit von ihrer gebrechlichen Hülle bis zu deinem erhabenen Fernblick ein Meer der Ruhe und Stille walte.

Während wir nach und nach vor dir ins Grab sinken, wird dein für die Ewigkeit geschaffener Körper von unermüdlichen Menschenhänden bearbeitet, um ihn zu erhalten.

Hoch wie ein Doppeldeckerbus, aus einem einzigen Marmorblock gehauen. Der 500-Jahre alte Renaissance-Schönling. 1464 scheiterte an dir Agostino di Duccio, Bildhauer und Sohn dieser Stadt, und 1476 auch Antonio Rossellino, der mit dem roten Schopf aus Settignano. Sie scheiterten an diesem ungeheuren Block von minderwertigen Marmor, mochte er auch aus Carrara kommen. Und ganze zwei Jahre brauchte Michelangelo, dich aus dem schlechten Stein zu hauen, aus diesem Marmor, der überzogen ist mit unzähligen taròli, kleinen Aushöhlungen, Löchern also, und wäre es nicht so aufwendig gewesen, ihn herzuschaffen, hätte man den Riesenblock wohl einfach weggeworfen, so aber putzte der Meister mit seinen sechsundzwanzigjährigen Fingern Kalkmörtel in die taróli, was vielleicht noch angegangen wäre, wenn du, wie ursprünglich geplant, in einer Nische des Santa Maria del Fiore, des großen Domes, aufgestellt worden wärest, doch stattdessen wurdest du auserkoren, auf dem wichtigsten, öffentlichen Platz zu stehen, keine Statue mehr unter anderen, den Propheten und Gotteskämpfern, sondern Held der Stadt nun, Symbol des Stolzes der Bürger im Kampf gegen ihre mächtigen Fürsten.

Ganze zwei Wochen lang dauerte der Transport durch die engen Straßen der Stadt, deine gigantische, steingewordene Person in einen komplizierten Apparat gepackt, zu deren Konstruktion es gleich vier der ausgezeichnetesten Kenner auf diesem Gebiet bedurft hatte, und während du, mit Seilen gebunden, in dem großen, hözernen Behälter baumeltest, boten mehr als vierzig, kräftige Männer ihre ganze Muskelkraft auf, um dich auf ölgeschmierten und eigens konstruierten Trassen vorwärts zu bewegen.

Und während des aufwendigen, langwierigen Tranports – was half dir da der schützende Käfig – wurdest du zum ersten Mal mit Steinen beworfen, du hieltest weiterhin deine Steinschleuder, den Blick melancholisch zur Seite gerichtet, während dich jene Florentiner bewarfen, devote Anhänger ihres Fürsten zumeist, die dich nicht sehen wollten auf dem Platz der Signoria, vor dem Palazzo Vecchio.

Und auch der Himmel schickte seine Nachricht, er schrieb, wie immer, wenn es wichtig war, in Feuerschrift und sandte einen Blitz, wenn auch nur in den Sockel, den sie dir zu bequemerem und erhöhtem Stand errichtetet hatten, ein Warnzeichen, denn der wackere Pier Soderini war aus der Stadt gejagt worden und wieder kamen die verhaßten Fürsten an die Macht. Ein Warnzeichen nur, wenn auch ein feuriges, aber nun bekannst du zum ersten Mal an den Füßen zu leiden, und es erschienen die ersten Risse in deinen Fußgelenken. Und nur zehn Jahre später erfolgte der nächste Angriff auf dich. Am 26. April 1527 war es, als wieder einmal das Blatt sich wendete. Dieses Mal traf es die Fürsten, die berühmten Medici waren aus der Stadt gejagt worden, und der Stadtkampf, der darauf entbrannte, ging direkt über deinem Kopf los und traf schließlich auch ihn. Während nämlich die Fürstenanhänger versuchten, die Tore des Alten Palastes zu stürmen, wehrten die drinnen Verschanzten den drohenden Angriff ab mit einem Hagel aus Steinen und Ziegeln, die sie aus den Palastfenstern warfen und du konntest nicht anders, als stehen zu bleiben, bis dich eine Bank, denn auch zu einer solchen griffen die Belagerten, am linken Arm traf, auf daß er in drei Stücke brach. Drei Tage lang lagen die drei Teile deines zerbrochenen Arms auf der Erde, verlassen und vergessen, bis sie endlich von zwei jungen Männern, die der Kunst mehr als der Politik zugetan sein mochten und Vasari und Salviati hießen, aufgelesen wurden.

Nachdem Menschenhände dich so beschädigt hatten, waren es wieder Menschenhände, die dich zu retten suchten. Zusammensetzten erst den verletzten Arm, dann den Mittelfinger deiner rechten Hand reparierten, der später auf unbekannte Weise zu Schaden gekommen war, schließlich dich reinigten von dem Schmutz und den Wetterspuren, die sich in den langen 300 Jahre, die du auf dem Platz im Herzen der Stadt aushielst, auf deinem Körper schichtweise abgelagert hatten.

Aus dem schlechtesten Marmor enstand deine Schönheit, deine für perfekt gehaltene Form, und erscheint dieser Gegensatz auch erstaunlich, so scheint es wieder fast, als nähre sich deine Schönheit insgeheim von diesem verderblichen Untergrund, zumindest ist nicht abzustreiten, daß sie in einem ständigen, ja täglichen Kampf liegt mit dem Material, aus dem sie hervorgegangen ist, aus diesem minderwertigen Stein, der deine Haut poröser noch als die unsrige sein läßt, so daß viel zu leicht Wasser eindringt, und Staub, und immer weider um dein Weiterleben gefürchtet werden muß.

Und so wurdest du gereinigt, mit Eisen wurde dir die Kruste abgeschlagen, und dann, zu deinem Schutze wurdest du abtransportiert, um dich herum mußten sich Wände schließen, um dich nicht weiter zu gefährden, um dich für die Ewigkeit zu erhalten.

Als man sah, wie es deinem Körper immer schlechter erging, überlegt man, dich in die Loggia dei Lanzi zu stellen, immerhin hättest du da ein Dach über dem Kopf gehabt, aber schließlich kam es noch besser, und man baute dir, inzwischen sieht dich das Jahr 1873, einen Kuppelbau in der Akademie der Künste.

Und als die Stadt unter den Bomben lag, auch da dachte man sogleich an dich und wie du zu schützen seist und flugs bekamst du einen Ziegelumhang und dazu einen extra Bunker, während gleichzeitig, nur einige Straßen entfernt, 300 frierende Menschen,  Kinder und Greise darunter, zusammengepfercht ausharrten, bewacht warteten sie auf dem Bahnsteig des erst kürzlich gebauten Bahnhofs (atemberaubende, neue Architektur!), Abfahrt auf Gleis 16, sie warten auf den Zug, der sie wegschicken sollte aus der bombardierten Stadt und der Zug kam auch und brachte sie sicher nach Auschwitz. Nur wer, wie Lia Vitale, erst ein Jahr alt war, konnte wohl beruhigt schlafen auf dieser Fahrt.


STUDY ABROAD ISTITUTO EUROPEO Nicholas Signoriello Specials from Florence: Jersey Shore in Florence

Jersey Shore Florence

            
The Jersey Shore arrived in Florence on May 9 and there have been a lot of different reactions to their presence here.
My question is: “Why Florence?” I am under the impression that these “Italian” fist bumping guidos’ idea of a good time is drinking, dancing, and “smooshing.” Sure, maybe with all the American study abroad students here it wouldn’t be a bad place to engage in these activities; however, the Jersey Shore cast isn’t actually allowed to drink alcohol in public places on camera.
Ok then, maybe they came to Florence to be enlightened by the beautiful art and monuments that are the essence of the city. The only catch is that they are not allowed to be seen in front of any of Florence’s monuments also, which is almost the entire city. Therefore, I can’t imagine what they are actually going to do here given these restrictions.
There are many places throughout Italy that I can at least picture the crew drinking and having a good time, but I believe that Florence was a interesting choice. I guess we will see when the episodes come out and until then, the many college students around Florence will be on a constant search to meet them. Although, if these students would like to be on TV, then they would need to sign a contract that has been condemned by nearly every study abroad program in the city. Only time will tell what experience the Jersey Shore are taking from this beautiful city.


STUDY ABROAD ISTITUTO EUROPEO Nicholas Signoriello Specials from Florence: The Scudetto Race is Over

The Scudetto Race is Over
by Nick Signoriello

AC Milan mathematically clinched the Italian Serie A Scudetto this past weekend with a 0-0 tie against Roma, ending the 5 year winning streak of their rivals, Internazionale (Inter). Even more interestingly, Palermo beat AC Milan in the second leg of the Coppa Italia this week to move on to the finals and play against Inter. Aside from the fact that a struggling Palermo side beat the newly announced champions of Serie A, this puts Fiorentina’s arch rival, Juventus, in a very bad situation.
Since this is Italy, where everything always seems to be more complicated compared to the smoothly run professional sports in America, a technicality may knock Juventus out of Europe. Normally, if you finish in the top seven spots in Serie A, you qualify for Europe. But the Coppa Italia winner also gets a spot in Europe. In most cases, Coppa Italia finalists are in the top seven spots but Palermo is not this year. Since Internazionale has already secured a champions league spot in Europe for finishing in third place, the Coppa Italia spot automatically gets passed to Palermo just for being a finalist. This is extremely problematic for Juventus who are currently in seventh place in Serie A because now only the top six will qualify for Europe.
Juventus is a major Italian club striving to become one of the best in Europe again but if they don’t qualify for Europe, it is going to be very difficult to persuade major players to come to the club in the summer.
As for Fiorentina, they are trailing nearly 10 points behind the other teams fighting for spots in Europe and unfortunately, should just start looking forward to doing better next season. On an ending note, Napoli needs just one point in their last 2 games to secure a spot in the Champions League for the first time in decades after going bankrupt and spending several years in the lowest divisions and fighting their way back up to the top.

mercoledì 11 maggio 2011

STUDY ABROAD Nick Signoriello specials from Florence: Coming to an End (i.e.The aftermath of tasting Italian Culture)

(Photo by slizzuli - aperitivo, Nightlife Florence )
Coming to an End (i.e.The aftermath of tasting Italian Culture)

by Nick Signoriello




It’s hard to believe that the semester is coming to a close after a great but quick five months. We have all made new friends, tried new foods, and experienced Italian culture in one way or the other. As the last couple of weeks come to an end, I am finding myself thinking even more about the things that made life difficult for us in the beginning of the semester that now, we are accustomed to.

Before you came here, you heard a lot of talk about “Culture Shock,” because it is a very true and real thing. As someone who has already studied in Italy previously, I can tell you that the culture shock of returning to the U.S. or whichever country we may come from, may hit you harder than when you came to Italy. I’m going to try to give you some examples so you’re not in complete shock when you get back.

First of all, I am sure you noticed how much smaller everything is in Italy, so when you return everything is going to seem really BIG. I believe another thing that may strike you is the first time you go to an American ATM and all the currency is green and not colored coded by how much its worth. Also, at stores the cashier is actually going to hand you the money instead of putting it on the counter in front of you. Oh yeah, and the first time your mom says be home for dinner at 6, you may react by giving her a strange look about how early dinner time is in the U.S. It is, although, going to be a relief when you only have to look twice when crossing the road because there aren’t a million vespas flying on the street from every corner. Basically when you get to the U.S. you’ll start being IDed again, you won’t have to plan a day ahead when you do your laundry anymore because we have the technology of dryers, and lastly, don’t be embarrassed if you say “grazie” instead of “thank you” at the first store you go to.

These are things that may seem like a joke now but will actually really affect you. As we get ready to leave, I hope you take a look at all the things you spent the semester coping with and are now accustomed to and appreciate the experience you have had. One day, you’ll be wishing you could return here and live it over again.

martedì 10 maggio 2011

In Gunter Sachs memoriam (l'ultimo dei playboy)



Quando ho sentito la notizia, la prima reazione è stata: Gunter Sachs, chi era costui? Poi piano piano sono riaffiorati i ricordi di quegli anni che ho vissuto e che ho occultato. L'occultamento è il lavorìo della Storia. L'occultamento progredisce con il progredire della Storia. La memoria rende invece vivo ciò che la Storia oggettivizza.
E ripensando a quegli anni infatti ricordo una gran voglia di vita. Erano gli anni della Guerra fredda da una parte e gli anni dei Playboy dall'altra. Le donne avevano le fantasie da donne. Ogni donna aspirava ad essere una Cenerentola e trovare il suo Principe Azzurro. Ma poi è venuto l'avvento del femminismo e ha reso le donne senza più fantasie. Materialiste come gli uomini. Prive di fascinazione come un palestrato.

Ma allora le donne sognavano e anche gli uomini. Ed era lecito sognare, perché il mondo era più grande di ora.
Il playboy in quegli anni "freddi" era il sogno di un' evasione sconfinata. E era lo stesso per le donne e per gli uomini. Le donne volevano sognare di stare nelle braccia di un Principe che le estraniasse dalle loro magre esistenze di Cenerentole ante "scarpina" e gli uomini volevano tutti essere come quegli esseri divini che erano Gigi Rizzi, Roger Vadim, Gunter Sachs...Si giocava e si sognava in quegli anni spensierati. Gli uomini erano uomini e le donne donne. I playboy gente colta, raffinata magari ricchi ma uomini normali, no supermachi o palestrati pieni di stereodi e anabolizzanti, e neppure berlusconati dalla cultura televisiva che ha reso tali gli uomini di questo paese oggi: solo apparenti, con il Rolex, abbronzati e sempre all' Iphone o comunque sempre connessi. D'altronde le donne pur emancipandosi non hanno per nulla aumentato la loro femminilità ma la hanno intrappolata in un linguaggio osceno e superficiale fatto di gesti scurrili e mascolinizzanti (il modello femminile nuovo è forse quello della donna del famoso e disgustoso reality americano Jersey Shore - Sic!)

Il fascino allora non erano i muscoli, ma lo sguardo, l'intellettualità, la raffinatezza, l'esoticità, la passione, il sogno...la cultura, il gesto elegante e penetrante...
Questo erano quegli anni. Anni ben diversi, che erano forse vissuti all'impronta della "Dolce Vita", di cui adesso non rimane che il nome ed il senso si è completamente perso. Ma non era superficialità era invece profondità di una superficie apparente.
E Gunter se n'è andato. Giustamente. Come giustamente se ne va chi riconosce di non essere più nella Storia, ma occultato da quella e per sempre. E allora decide di andarsene perché qua, in quella parte della Storia che ti ha escluso per sempre, non c'è più posto. E il suicidio non è viltà. E' affermazione ultima del proprio diritto alla memoria di una vita che non c'è più.



Fabrizio Ulivieri

venerdì 6 maggio 2011

Florence Blue Night 2011!!


(Foto via travelpod.com)






After Florence White Night, Florence Blue Night 2011. Blue Night (Notte Blu) is a special night dedicated to celebrate the annual Europe Day its traditions, as well as cultures and differences.


There will be many events from 3 pm Saturday, May 8 to 6 pm Sunday, May 9.


Events will occur throughout a 27 hour period, scattered all over Florence. From Palazzo Vecchio to Badia Fiesolana, from the Oblate Library to Caffè Sant’Ambrogio, from Santa Trinita Church to Russian Orthodox Churc…more than 24 hours of concerts, dances, performances in the streets and squares of Florence, but also in stores, libraries, restaurants (special European menus, for this night!) and cinemas in the city center and in its surroundings.
Most performances will be for free. Some others will be on payment.
For information http://www.notteblu.eu/index.php?lang=en (Blue Night official website)

mercoledì 4 maggio 2011

Gelato Festival in Florence from 28th – 31st May

(foto via saimicadove.it)

Florence, the famous  cradle of the Renaissance is to become the “cradle of ice cream” from 28th – 31st May for the "Gelato Festival"!!. Squares throughout the city will be transformed into outdoor ice cream parlours and  Piazza SS Annunziata will become instead the Traditional Ice Cream Village while  Piazza della Repubblica will be the Industrial Ice Cream Village. The event is sponsored by Sammontana (the biggest Italian Ice cream Producer).
The  expected visitors (around 300,000) to the festival will be able to participate in workshops on ice cream making, attend an exhibition on its origin and, of course, taste lots of ice cream! There will be games and special activities for children, too.
Entry is Free.

Don't miss it!! & buon gelato!!

For more information see: http://www.firenzegelatofestival.it/

martedì 3 maggio 2011

Pro Japan Fund-Raising - A ISTITUTO EUROPEO NEW CONCERT in Prato!!




We would also like to announce that the next benefit concert will be held in the Church of San Francesco in Prato on Friday, May 20 at 9pm with the participation of the San Martino Chorus. Entrance is free and envelopes will be distributed at the entrance for those who wish to contribute. Monies will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross with the funds already collected.




For information:

ISTITUTO EUROPEO - Via del Parione 1 (Tornabuoni) 50123 Firenze
Tel. +39 055 2381071 - info@istitutoeuropeo.it
Please contact Miss. Motoko Isobe

Pro Japan Fund-Raising Concert results



We are happy to report the results from the benefit concert held for the victims of the earthquake in Japan. The April 28th concert had a wonderful turnout with over 100 people in attendance and a total of 1458,50 Euro + 1 Japanese Yen raised.

The singers, musicians, staff of the ISTITUTO EUROPEO, and all who ensured the concert’s success would like to give a heartfelt thanks to all who supported the initiative.