Exclusive interview with
Tommaso Sacchi
Florence City Council: Ambassador of culture, fashion, design and international relations
We have finally arrived at a time of being able to safely reopen museums, of relaunching cultural centers in Florence, of holding the first event on the fashion calendar in person since the beginning of the pandemic. In this critical, historic moment that finds the city in the middle of a new renaissance, we had the pleasure of interviewing Ambassador Tommaso Sacchi, who reveals to us how Florence is being reborn through culture and through the efforts of all those who work in this sector.
Having returned just a few days ago from the inauguration of the Italian Pavilion at Expo in Dubai, which will officially open to the public on October 1st, where he presented the reproduction of Michelangelo’s David, a universal symbol of art and beauty, Ambassador Sacchi emphasizes how this moment is a symbol of culture and tourism starting up again.
The first step along these lines is most assuredly the reopening of museums and exhibits, which can welcome visitors to capacities in compliance with anti-COVID19 protocols. Among these is the Uffizi Gallery, which boasts 14 new exhibition rooms and more than 30 new museum spaces, a project that has brought about a total of 50 new sections, along with new exhibition pieces.
Contemporary art features as the protagonist of this reopening, looking confidently into the future and spreading thanks to the inauguration of exhibits such as “American Art 1961-2001” at Palazzo Strozzi and “Beautiful Lies” by Ali Banisadr at the Museo Novecento, which connects with the history of the city in relation to the celebration of the 700th anniversary since the death of Dante. The Bargello is also hosting an exhibit dedicated to the revered poet, that “honorable and ancient citizen of Florence”, and the Galleria dell’Accademia is welcoming visitors with a new look.
The open-air museum of Florence presents the new edition of the Florentine Summer 2021 Season (June through September), offering a richly diverse calendar of artistic and cultural events hosted in out-door spaces, which includes a variety of festivals featuring local protagonists of culture. The spaces made available by the Florence City Council will come to life through the collaboration of numerous associations and cultural institutions who will host events (in accordance with safety protocols) that spotlight dance, recitation, music, cinema, artistic works and more, as a gesture of welcome to citizens and tourists, whether local or international.
Florence, an international fashion hub and important point of reference for professionals, businesses and students from all over the world, sends out signs of hope by restarting the first in-person, international Fair with Pitti Immagine, set to begin June 28th. Ambassador Sacchi underlines the importance of conveying confidence and support to Pitti during this phase, given that this will be a driving force in the restart of the local production industry, from textiles to leather and accessories, helping Florence to build momentum and begin communicating once again with the rest of the world.
High-quality training in fashion and design, which has always been a deeply-rooted tradition of the area, allows for the development of new talents and is made possible by the many Academies and Universities that are able to open once again to local and international students. Also starting back are the Theater Foundation of Tuscany, cinemas, libraries and study centers that enrich the cultural offerings of the city and will once again fulfill an essential role in the life of the community. We conclude with a greeting and a message of hope from Ambassador Tommaso Sacchi, who would like to join the rest of the city in sending out a “virtual hug”, as a sign that Florence is ready to welcome back all those that love the city and its artistic and cultural heritage in the best and safest way possible.
