Great to be back in Florence after an absence of more than 6 months. I have learned that this is the year of Dante’s 750 birthday. Lots of celebrations have been going on and will continue for the rest of the year.
Last month the exhibit, Dalí Meets Dante, was at the Palazzo Medici Riccardi. Dalí illustrates Dante’s journey through Hell, Purgatory and Paradise, in his style, using a dreamlike quality through the use of watercolors. One hundred watercolors to illustrate each canto or verse. At last a way for me to understand the meaning of Dante’s Divine Comedy without having to try and understand the antique Florentine language of 750 years ago from the father of the Italian language! Now that I have visual connections to these verses maybe I can go back and check out one of my favorite Italian actors, Roberto Benigni reciting the verses of the Divine Comedy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfvQS0B5lYo
While I am at it, time to visit the Tuscan butcher of Panzano, Dario, to hear his rendition and order some great steaks.
Beautiful illustrations often pretty tame compared to the wild and modern Dalí that I am most familiar. These were done by Dalí in staring in 1950 and took hi nine years to complete.
A favorite verse from the Inferno is Amor, ch’a nullo amato amar perdona (The power of love that does not allow for someone who is loved not to love back). My husband quoted it during his toast to our son and future daughter-in-law at their rehearsal dinner!
At the Palagio dell’Arte della Lana, where the Society of Dante is based, a series of lectures on Dante is currently taking place. This week I attended the lecture there on Purgatory. It was very interesting to see the interior of this beautiful building which is often closed to the public. Next month the final presentation on Paradiso will be given.
As a new feature to the blog this year I will list some of the my top current finds in regards to pop culture, fashion and food. Hope these are some fun tips if you are in town or planning a trip here soon.
THE BUZZ
Top Reads: Everyone here is talking about the author Elena Ferrante and her Neapolitan Novels. The novelist has written about two girls from Naples who try and achieve a better life within the postwar violent society of Naples. the books are in this order, My Brilliant Friend, The Story of a New Name, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay and the Story of the Lost Child.I have just finished reading all four and feel these are on my all time favorite list of novels. Ferrante’s first and last book of the series were listed #2 and #3 on the LA Times best Seller list and both Time and Vanity Fair have articles about the author and her books this month.
Top Eats: Visited three outstanding restaurants in the last few weeks all in the Santa Croce and Sant’ Ambrogio areas.
1. Cucina Torcicoda on Via Torta 5R http://www.cucinatorcicoda.com/?lang=en
2. Touch Florence on Via Fiesolana 18/R
3. Club Culinario Toascano da Osvalso on Piazza dei Peruzzi, 3R
Style Watch:
Seeing lots of rolled up cuffs on jeans:
Concert: Malika Ayane Oct. 28, 2015
Happy travels and lots of Amor!
fondlyfromflorence&beyond 