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XVIII Edition Ministry for Cultural Affairs Ente Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze FRIDAY MAY 11th to SUNDAY MAY 13th 2012 ARTIGIANATO E PALAZZO The gardens of Palazzo Corsini are especially open to the public for this occasion The Exhibition presents over 80 master craftsmen from Italy and from all over the world
Special guest of this XVIIIth Edition: Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella di Firenze, The world-famous Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy will celebrate its 400th anniversary at Giorgiana Corsini and Neri Torrigiani have invited Eugenio Alphandery to hold the celebration of the historic Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella here, at Artigianato e Palazzo, a fitting venue for the 400 year-old activity founded nearby in 1221 by the Dominican Friars of Santa Maria Novella. The Friars cultivated medicinal herbs and the Pharmacy was opened to the public in 1612. Since then it has become world known and now has 55 single-brand shops in the world, over 15 of which are in Japan and Korea. The products of the Pharmacy are inimitable: their centuries-old history an emblem of continuing innovation and research. The products of the Pharmacy combine artisanal techniques dating back to the Middle Ages with high quality materials and advanced technology. This historical brand will be the main protagonist of the “Principe Exhibition” which is held every year at the Limonaia Piccola. Previous special guests have been brands of great success whose common denominator is to have their beginnings as small handcrafters and artisans: Gucci, Vacheron Costantin, Il Bisonte, Bulgari, Ente Tabacchi Italiano, Roberto Capucci, Loretta Caponi.. Friday 11th through Sunday 13th May there will be a number of celebrations dedicated to the 400 years of the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella: a preview with Eugenio Alphandery, director and co-owner of the Officina, as guest of honour. Eugenio is the heart and soul of innovation at the Officina and is responsible for the expansion abroad of this most Florentine of brands. Another special guest of the 2012 edition of Artigianato e Palazzo will be the Consorzio “Il cappello di Firenze”, founded in May 1986 by the Association of Florentine Industrialists to safeguard and widespead the traditional art of straw hats of Florence. On exhibit, under the XVth century Loggia of Buontalenti of the Palazzo Corsini, will be some unique pieces made especially for this event following the tradition of those straw hats which, since the nineteenth century, have been crafted by Florentine hatmakers in many materials: straw, felt, raffia, precious threads, silk, satin and lace. On show will also be a grandiose collective installation. During the three days of Artigianato e Palazzo the many artisans and craftsmen present will do practical demonstrations of how they achieve their high quality products. You will be able to understand, hands-on, the difference between quality products made by hand and others produced serially. The gardens of the Corsini Palace, this Florentine “secret garden” created in the XVIth century by Gherardo Silvani, will once again host the techniques and ancient secrets of artisans and craftsmen. Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy the wealth of ancient trades and gestures, symbols of a new form of elegance, whose value is both in the image and in the quality of their products. Over 80 artisan shops will be set up in the midst of the greenery and flowers of the Corsini Garden and inside the splendid Limonaie (the lemon-houses). Visitors will assist in the work of craftsmen where innovation and love and respect for the past merge to create special products. For 18 years this philosophy has guided the spirit of ARTIGIANATO E PALAZZO. Our aim has been to set up shows and initiatives in the intention of preserving the age-old traditions of artisans and craftsmen, an ever-important resource for the city of Florence and for Made in Italy in the world. Registrations for the Exhibition are open until February 17th, artisans can find the registry form on the website www.artigianatoepalazzo.it International Promotion Committee: Bianca Arrivabene, Barbara Berlingeri, Fausto Calderai, Fabrizia Caracciolo, Adalberto Cremonese, Michel de Grèce, Maria de’ Peverelli, Mario d’Urso, Giovanna Folonari, Bona Frescobaldi, Anna Gastel, Mario Augusto Lolli Ghetti, Raffaello Napoleone, Carlo Orsi, Alvar Gonzales Palacios, Giovanni Pratesi, Nicolo Sella, Luigi Settembrini, James Stourton, Simone Todorow, Christian Witt-Dörring.
ARTIGIANATO E PALAZZO Friday 11th, Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th May 2012 For information on the Exhibiotn: Press Office: Studio Ester Di Leo
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