Leap year has ended before anyone can say ‘ciao bella’ and somehow it’s already a few days into March. When did that happen? I am aware that everytime I write that I sound like my parents. oops! Anyway, it’s time now to throw that gear into overdrive and enjoy the beginning of spring (and the last month of skiing) in Florence, Italy. Here is my compiled March list of events you don’t want to miss including great theatre shows, new art exhibits, St. Patty’s madness & of course the Pitti Immagine TASTE food fair in Florence!

• MUSIC/Verdi Theatre – Orchestra della Toscana March 5 – 27th.  Beethoven and Mozart with ORT, Lucerna’s Symphonic, Jasmina Reza’s theater, Operetta, Cinema, The Full Monty theatrical version and the fascinating music by Renzo Arbore & L’Orchestra Italiana, Cristiano De André. website.

• REMEMBRANCE/ March 8th. Platform 16: Anniversary of the deportation of the anti-fascists from the Province of Florence in extermination camps. In Santa Maria Novella Square at 10 a.m. remembrance promoted In Santa Maria Novella Square at 10 a.m. remembrance promoted by the Ex-Deportees National Association; at 11.30 a.m. at MARCH Platform 16 of SMN Railway Station, laying of a wreath of laurel.

• TOURS/ “So you think you know Florence” is back again this March (various visits from the 10th to the 25th) which means Alexandra Lawrence will be offering you the chance to visit some of Florence’s lesser-known museums and monuments and in-depth, special looks at some old favorites. This time around she will be exploring the Monumental Complex of Santa Maria Novella, Friends of Florence: Around the David, Friends of Florence: Perugino’s Crucifixion at Santa Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi, and Celebrating Tuscany: Badia Fiorentina. Not ONE of the tours costs more than 15 euros and I once again, love that this means even a local can get to know her own city a little better! More details can be found here – So you think you know Florence March 2013

• WOMENS DAY/ March 8th. Yes women in bella Italia! You have a special day in Italy when you don’t have to iron socks, underwear and bedsheets. This is the day to go out with your girlfriends and have someone gift you yellow mimosa flowers. Extra bonus –  Free entrance for all women in all the Municipal Museums (except for the Fondazione Salvatore Romano, which is closed on Fridays). Info and timetable www.museicivicifiorentini.it). Also check out this great list of events compiled by Studentsville.

• THEATRE/ “The Vagina Monologues” — March 8 -9th at 9 pm. Tasso Hostel Theatre House on via Villani 15.  The award-winning play is based on V-Day Founder/playwright Eve Ensler’s interviews with more than 200 women. ” For more than twelve years, The Vagina Monologues has given voice to experiences and feelings not previously exposed in public.”

• FOOD FAIR/ “Taste” is back and is making me hungrier than ever! 250 food-related companies on March 9-11 gather at Stazione Leopolda to wow us with their new creations (with additional ‘fuori di taste’ events around town). This is a really big deal in the food world and is most definitely worth a stop if you happen to be in town. Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th March, from 9.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. admission will be reserved exclusively for members of the trade from 12.30 pm – 7.30 p.m. the fair will also be open to the wider public of quality food enthusiasts and connoisseurs. On Monday 11st March the fair will be open to everyone from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Ticket entrance:  € 15 for the public – daily ticket. €10 for professionals – the entrance card is valid for all the three days of the fair. Buy your ticket online here (and get more info).

• MARKET/ March 10th. Lungoungiorno + Florence Small Traditional Market At the Old Little Convent at 20/1 Giano Della Bella Street (500m from Tasso Square) the handicraft tradition is enriched with natural and organic products. Info: www.fondazioneartigianato.it

• FESTIVAL/ Ireland Festival at the Obihall! March 12-14th. Traditional Irish music, culinary treats and of course beer will all await you at the ex-saschall theatre along the lungarno. I’ve been a few times and I have always had a good time. Worth checking out if you are up for a lively night out. website. Via Fabrizio De Andrè ang. Lungarno A. Moro.  € 10,00 – 15 entrance fee.
  

• FILM FESTIVAL/ March 15-24th. Korea film fest. Back again at Cinema Odeon is the Festival of Korean Cinema. I went last year and really liked the movies I saw. They will also special events such as an open air Taekwondo/ K-Pop flash mob in Piazza della Repubblica on March 17th 4pm- 5:30pm.  For the full program and more details check

• REMEMBRANCE/March 16th. In Florence the Day of remembrance and commitment in

  memory of the innocent victims of the mafia promoted by

  Libera and Avviso Pubblico. Parade from Fortezza da Basso to

  Artemio Franchi Stadium, reading of the names of the Mafia’s

  innocent victims and afterwards Fiorella Mannoia’s

  performance. Info and program on www.libera.it

• TRADE SHOW/ Furniture fair ‘Salone del mobile’ is back at the Fortezza di Basso from March 16-24. Proposals for furnishing and solutions for living. Info: www.salonedelmobile.com

• ART EXHIBIT/ Palazzo Strozzi/MuséeduLouvre “The Spring of Renaissance” —  Sculpture and Arts in Florence 1400 – 1460. An exhibition to show “the miracle” of Renaissance in Florence, especially through sculpture masterpieces: the art that first interprets itself. Organized by Palazzo Strozzi Corporation and Musée du Louvre, Beatrice Paolozzi Strozzi and Marc Bormand. Info: www.palazzostrozzi.org

• EASTER SUNDAY/ Scoppio del carro – Explosion of the cart.  This annual event on Easter Sunday is NOT to be missed. The “Brindellone” leaves at 8 a.m. from via Il Prato on route to the Duomo Square, where at 10 a.m. they will draw for the Historical Soccer matches. At 11 a.m. is the actual explosion of the cart. Check out my article from last year about this even in The Florentine.

Of course don’t forget to check back here occasionally as I always end up adding additional events that I just didn’t see at the time of original posting. Probably my caffeine-induced stupor made me overlook one or two ;-). If you know of a cool event in Florence {and Tuscany}, let me know by commenting and I’ll add it if I agree!

Related articles

• February 2013 events in Florence, Italy (girlinflorence.com)
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• 10 tips for staying safe in Florence, Italy. (girlinflorence.com)
• Florence Photo Diary, a weekend in February (girlinflorence.com)