The Festival of Arts 2017

There was magic in the air at the Festival of Arts, which took place in the beautiful gardens of Villa Raimondi yesterday evening. The annual event, which was created in 2013, brought the EUI community and local Florentines together for an evening of music, poetry and peaceful reflection.

Performers at the Festival of Arts 2017

This year’s programme, organised by the 4B “Pro Arts Group”, began with poetry readings by the Lab di Scrittura, a group from the EUI. The engaging female performers moved around their green theatre with grace, subtly accompanied by classical guitarist Leopoldo Giachetti. Compagnia delle Poete, an ensemble from Florence, followed with their own readings. ‘Only in poetry does language unveil all its possibilities” said Annarita Zacchi, as an introduction to the performances.

Later, Giachetti delighted the audience with a solo performance. In the dappled light and remarkable peace of the garden, his skill and sensitivity created a profound calm. On the other side of Villa Raimondi, the EUI photography club also showed off their considerable creative talents in an exhibition.

Guitarist, Leopoldo Giachetti

After 20:00 the evening took on a different character as events moved to the Schifanoia football pitch for the last Jam Session of the academic year. Kurupà, a local dance troupe, gave an energetic performance of African music and dance. Bar Fiasco was in attendance, providing beer, food, and the appropriate atmosphere for a pre-cursor to the Coppa.