STUDENTSVILLE

This Saturday 16/01, you’re invited to preview the beautiful architectural space of Le Murate with a rich cultural offering. Show up any time from 6pm to midnight and experience music, dance, performance, fashion, and social media at work.The website is in italian: www.lemurate.comune.fi.it and the programme will be announced soon.Become a fan on facebook: www.facebook.com/lemurate; or a follower on twitter @lemurateIf you cannot make it on the 16th, how about sending out a tweet with the #murate with YOUR WISH FOR FLORENCE!Also at Le Murate on Saturday is the second barcamp in Florence, on the theme of “new urban spaces”. http://barcamp.org/palazzovecchio

An Interview with Ms Linda Loppa, Director of Polimoda International Institute of Fashion, Design & Marketing(Interview by Marco de la Pierre, Communication manager of DotFlorence.com & StudentsVille.it)Polimoda came into being in 1986, an initiative which was organized and financed by the city councils of Florence and Prato, and by business associations in collaboration with the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), State University of New York.1. When was the school founded?2. How many students are there every year? More than 950 students attend Polimoda courses every year.3. Where do the students come from? 40% of the students are international and come from all over the world, while 60% are Italian and about 25% are from Tuscany.Polimoda Library4. Why do students choose Polimoda in Florence? Polimoda is known for its high standards and has well over twenty years experience in fashion education. The Institute's strong point is without doubt its close relationship with businesses which on the one hand allows us to adapt our study programmes to real market needs, and on the other facilitates access to employment for the students as they undertake a period of internship undertaken at the end of their courses and Master courses. We are very proud of the rate of employment of our graduates, which is 90% within six months of completing their studies.5. What kind of courses do you offer? Which are the most popular courses? Polimoda programmes are subdivided into the two general areas of Design and Marketing, covering all professional careers in the fashion system. The three-year post-diploma courses are our core business - Fashion Design, Footwear Design, Pattern Making, Marketing Management and Marketing Communications - and as of this year an optional fourth year master class is available. In addition to these, there is a wide and constantly updated range of Masters courses taught in English and Italian. The most recent are the Masters for Fashion Stylists and Fashion Brand Management. As for the most popular courses, this year we have seen a significant increase - up to 40 per cent - in enrolments on courses in the marketing area, especially for the three-year courses in marketing management and marketing communication. The Fashion Design course, one of our strongest options, is also greatly in demand. [More...]6. How has the school developed over the years? Polimoda Fashion Institute of FlorenceWhen Polimoda came into being 23 years ago, it had about fifty students and only two courses, Fashion Design and Marketing. Over the years, the name of the institute – originally known as the International Fashion Polytechnic – gained a reputation at a national and international level, while both the number of students and the range of courses continued to increase. This year we have five undergraduate courses and 25 Masters in Italian and English, as well as orientation and summer courses. This growth has been matched by the acquisition of new buildings and structures, thus extending the facilities of the historic Villa Strozzi in Florence: the 'Scuderie' at Villa Strozzi house the lecture rooms where theory is Director of Polimoda, Ferruccio Ferragamotaught and the computer laboratories, the Design Lab where the design and pattern making laboratories are, and Castello dell'Acciaiolo in Scandicci where the footwear laboratories are. In 2002 Polimoda Srl, now Polimoda Consulting, came into being to provide services to businesses in the fashion sector and now consists of a group of 35 important businesses. Today Ferruccio Ferragamo is the President of Polimoda, while the Chairman of Polimoda Consulting is Santo Versace: the support provided by such important personalities of the fashion world is of immense value to the Institute and is confirmation of the faith that both the fashion system and businesses have in our teaching methods.

More of the events  inside Fortezza da Basso are only by invitation but don’t miss: 12 January 11.00-14.30 - SEVEN 7   @ Luisa Via Roma Via...

With Dante, the Italian language originated in Florence and was affirmed by Petrarch and Boccaccio in their literary studies. [Vohabolario ( italian to florentine)]With Humanism, a new philosophy came to evaluate Classical culture. Modern political science began with Machiavelli and historical prose with Guicciardini, and modern science developed with Galileo and his experimental school. Since the time of Charlemagne, Florence has been a University seat which today has about ten specialized institutes and a cultural centre for foreigners.

This is a delicious spongy cake, popular around Carnival time in February but now found year-round, particularly in shops in downtown Florence.Put the sifted flour, baking powder, oil, milk, grated orange rind, saffron, sugar, eggs, and a pinch of salt into a mixing bowl and beat together thoroughly until all the lumps are eliminated and the batter is smooth and thick.....

All the parties in town for the new year's eve in florence..

The 20-year-old Oscar Wilde enthuses over the Etruscans in the old Archaeological Museum when it was in the Via Faenza; from The Letters of Oscar Wilde, edited by Rupert Hart-Davis. Then to the Etruscan Museum, which is in the suppressed monastery of San(t') J Onofrio and most interesting. You come first to a big tomb, transplanted from Arezzo; cyclopean stonework, Museo Archeologicodoorway with sloping jambs and oblong lintel, roof slightly conical, walls covered with wonderfully beautiful frescoes, representing first the soul in the shape of young man naked, led by a beautifully winged angel or genius to the two horsed chariot which is to convey them to Elysium - and then represents the banquet which awaits him

Every now and again there are moments in your life that you just know are going to be great even before they happen; a party, a journey, a gig, a feast, a sound, a taste, a show. Last night was one of these moments. The ingredients were all there. It was going to be quite a night! The occasion was to mark an important date in the career of five young creative individuals from the catering world whose indefatigable passion, effort, commitment and energy has earned an enthusiastic following in Tuscany. I say ‘important’ but I also mean a little sad, as the occasion was a farewell to “I 5 Sensi” (The Five Senses) as they hang up their aprons in the Osteria where they have delighted palettes, educated eyes and tantalised tongues for the past five and a half years. Anyone who has been welcomed to one of their tables in the lush green surroundings of the Il Borro Estate near Arezzo, and sampled one of their stunning menus (the Chianina beef and wild boar dishes without a doubt being amongst the best) will know that they will be missed!

Video recorded during the presentetion of " Il Tempo che Vorrei "

CAFE' GILLI: Came into being as for back as 1733 as a "fancy breads" shop in Via Calzaiuoli; it then gradually perfected some very special delicacies. Half way through the 19th century a new branch opened in Via degli Speziali, a cafè and pastry-shop which also servid absinths and choice sweet wine. In 1910 it was transferred to Piazza Vittorio Emanuele (now Piazza Repubblica) where we still find it today after over 250 years. CAFE' PASZKOWSKI: For a refined personality, for those who know how to choose the best, for a unique fastry shop, rich in tradition, as an antique "Beer Factory", appreciated both for its long-drinks and class, where for any special moment one can find that atmosphere t at only "Caffe Paszkowski" can create.