Calendar 2025 - FB
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FLORENCE BIENNALE
18 - 26 OCTOBER, 2025
Fortezza da Basso
Viale Filippo Strozzi 1, Florence FI
Opening to the public Saturday 182 pm
Office hours:
- From Monday to Friday9 am to 5 pm
- Saturday and SundayClosed
PROGRAMME
Florence Biennale 2025
Provisional programme (to be updated)
Asset Publisher
-
10 am
Media Preview
The preview will be held at 10 am for accredited journalists only, upon presentation of their badge or other valid document. For other methods of accreditation, please contact the media office.
-
11 am
Opening Ceremony
Spadolini Pavilion
Entrance to this event is by invitation only.
-
2 pm
Opening to the public
Entrance from Spadolini Pavilion
We remind you that you can buy tickets in advance online.
-
3 pm
Performance by Elisabetta Amoruso
-
4 pm
Performance by Yue Tang
-
4.30 pm
Performance by Keyuan Zhang
-
5 pm
Performance by Culpdid Dance Company
-
6 pm
Performance by Euihyun Seol
-
7 pm
Performance by Fina Ferrara
-
11 am
‘Experiential workshops on light and shadow’ (for children) by Laura Izzi
Workshop
-
3.30 pm
Performance by Zhou Zhou, Leyan Xie, Qi Song
-
4 pm
Performance by Sandra Parks
-
4.30 pm
‘Experiential workshops on light and shadow’ (for children) by Laura Izzi
Workshop
-
5.30 pm
"Home" by Sue Schroeder and Adam Larsen
Theatre Area - Spadolini Pavilion
National premiere screening of the short film.
-
6 pm
Performance by Sue Schroeder & Adam Larsen
-
Closed
Closing day
-
11 am
Panza Collection Presentation
-
5 pm
Tim Burton
Award Ceremony
Theatre Area - Spadolini Pavilion
The artist will be awarded the "Lorenzo il Magnifico" Lifetime Achievement Award.
-
11 am
XV Florence Biennale Catalogue
Presentation
Theatre Area - Spadolini Pavilion
Presentation of the exhibition catalogue (Editoriale Giorgio Mondadori) edited by Giovanni Cordoni and Jacopo Celona. With Carlo Motta, Head of Books Editoriale Giorgio Mondadori.
-
5 pm
Lecture by Gregorio Luke (eng)
Theatre Area - Spadolini Pavilion
-
5 pm
"LEONARDO DA VINCI" Lifetime Achievement Award
Cerimonia di premiazione
Theatre Area - Spadolini Pavilion
-
5 pm
"Near Light" by Niccolò Salvato
Screening
Theatre Area - Spadolini Pavilion
The documentary ‘Near Light’ by Niccolò Salvato (UK, 2023) will be screened for the first time in Florence on the occasion of the XV Florence Biennale.
The documentary focuses on Mattia, a young man convicted murderer who, after spending seven and a half years in one of Europe's maximum security prisons, is given a chance of redemption when he is allowed to attend in-person classes for a Master's degree course in Marketing at Bocconi University, the best Italian Business School.
Selected by the Florence Biennale's Curatorial Board for its ability to make us reflect on very sensitive issues, such as the re-education of prisoners and their reintegration into society, and for its adherence to the theme of the XV edition, which in dealing with dualisms (such as good and evil) emphasises the need for an overall vision and to rise towards the highest ideals, ‘Near Light’ shows a path that sees evil turn into good and despair into hope.
-
5.30 pm
“Tango en Penumbras” (Tango in Twilight) by Teresa Mular
Screening
Theatre Area - Spadolini Pavilion
The film “Tango en Penumbras” (Tango in Twilight) by Doctor Teresa Mular (Argentina, 2024) will be screened as a national première on the occasion of the XV Florence Biennale. Following the presentation of “Can’t Stop the Sun from Shining” at the XIII Florence Biennale in 2021, Teresa returns this year with her new work, completed in 2024.
In this film, Teresa takes us on a journey into the life of a 74-year-old chemist who, at the age of 28, tragically lost his sight—presumably due to a prank that has gone awry at a postgraduate party. While the prank is speculated to be the cause, there remains a possibility that glaucoma was the actual underlying condition. After decades of living in darkness, a serendipitous attempt at tango becomes a beam of light, illuminating his world in ways he never imagined. His fascination with tango’s movements and music is both passionate and hauntingly captivating. Each step brings him joy and hope, filling him with newfound self-confidence, self-respect, and a sense of self-worth.
Reflecting on the theme of the XV Florence Biennale, Teresa employs her distinctive storytelling approach to explore the dichotomy between light and darkness, followed by the duality of the visible and the invisible. Through this, she challenges the notion that sight is the only path to experiencing beauty or attaining physical and spiritual fulfilment.
-
6 pm
"Die Höhenluft - für Alle und Keinen" by Mika'Ela Fisher
Screening
Theatre Area - Spadolini Pavilion
The film “Die Höhenluft - für Alle und Keinen” (Pure Mountain Air – For All and No One) by Mika’Ela Fisher (Germany, 2023) will be screened as a national premiere on the occasion of the XV Florence Biennale.
With extensive references to Nietzsche’s “Thus Spoke Zarathustra”, the film focuses on two opposing characters (their names, Angra and Spenta, come from Zoroastrian theology and characterize cosmogonic dualism) who represent two sides of the same coin. From the top of a mountain, Angra and Spenta observe the humans below, unwitting targets of their sick game, and pull the strings of these poor puppets, torn between good and evil. "Die Höhenluft - für Alle und Keinen" is a curious film, characterized by a certain cynical humour, which questions our free will and which also represents a reflection "on the human being; which I see as torn, manipulable, but still responsible for his actions and decisions", as the director stated.
-
11 am
‘Experiential workshops on light and shadow’ (for children) by Laura Izzi
Workshop
-
4.30 pm
‘Experiential workshops on light and shadow’ (for children) by Laura Izzi
Workshop
-
5 pm
Lecture by Gregorio Luke (eng)
Theatre Area - Spadolini Pavilion
-
12 pm
ADI - Association for Industrial Design (Tuscany), ‘Eccellenze toscane, Compassi d'oro e Index’.
Theatre Area - Spadolini Pavilion
Curated by Perla Gianni Falvo.
-
3 pm
Artists and Designers Award Ceremony
Theatre Area - Spadolini Pavilion
During each edition of the Florence Biennale, the exhibiting artists and designers who stand out for their works in the competition in the relevant categories receive the "Lorenzo il Magnifico" (for Art) and "Leonardo da Vinci" (for Design) awards assigned by an International Jury made up of distinguished personalities from the world of art and culture.
-
10 am
Media Preview
The preview will be held at 10 am for accredited journalists only, upon presentation of their badge or other valid document. For other methods of accreditation, please contact the media office.
-
11 am
Opening Ceremony
Spadolini Pavilion
Entrance to this event is by invitation only.
-
2 pm
Opening to the public
Entrance from Spadolini Pavilion
We remind you that you can buy tickets in advance online.
-
3 pm
Performance by Elisabetta Amoruso
-
4 pm
Performance by Yue Tang
-
4.30 pm
Performance by Keyuan Zhang
-
5 pm
Performance by Culpdid Dance Company
-
6 pm
Performance by Euihyun Seol
-
7 pm
Performance by Fina Ferrara
-
11 am
‘Experiential workshops on light and shadow’ (for children) by Laura Izzi
Workshop
-
3.30 pm
Performance by Zhou Zhou, Leyan Xie, Qi Song
-
4 pm
Performance by Sandra Parks
-
4.30 pm
‘Experiential workshops on light and shadow’ (for children) by Laura Izzi
Workshop
-
5.30 pm
"Home" by Sue Schroeder and Adam Larsen
Theatre Area - Spadolini Pavilion
National premiere screening of the short film.
-
6 pm
Performance by Sue Schroeder & Adam Larsen
-
Closed
Closing day
-
11 am
Panza Collection Presentation
-
5 pm
Tim Burton
Award Ceremony
Theatre Area - Spadolini Pavilion
The artist will be awarded the "Lorenzo il Magnifico" Lifetime Achievement Award.
-
11 am
XV Florence Biennale Catalogue
Presentation
Theatre Area - Spadolini Pavilion
Presentation of the exhibition catalogue (Editoriale Giorgio Mondadori) edited by Giovanni Cordoni and Jacopo Celona. With Carlo Motta, Head of Books Editoriale Giorgio Mondadori.
-
5 pm
Lecture by Gregorio Luke (eng)
Theatre Area - Spadolini Pavilion
-
5 pm
"LEONARDO DA VINCI" Lifetime Achievement Award
Cerimonia di premiazione
Theatre Area - Spadolini Pavilion
-
5 pm
"Near Light" by Niccolò Salvato
Screening
Theatre Area - Spadolini Pavilion
The documentary ‘Near Light’ by Niccolò Salvato (UK, 2023) will be screened for the first time in Florence on the occasion of the XV Florence Biennale.
The documentary focuses on Mattia, a young man convicted murderer who, after spending seven and a half years in one of Europe's maximum security prisons, is given a chance of redemption when he is allowed to attend in-person classes for a Master's degree course in Marketing at Bocconi University, the best Italian Business School.
Selected by the Florence Biennale's Curatorial Board for its ability to make us reflect on very sensitive issues, such as the re-education of prisoners and their reintegration into society, and for its adherence to the theme of the XV edition, which in dealing with dualisms (such as good and evil) emphasises the need for an overall vision and to rise towards the highest ideals, ‘Near Light’ shows a path that sees evil turn into good and despair into hope.
-
5.30 pm
“Tango en Penumbras” (Tango in Twilight) by Teresa Mular
Screening
Theatre Area - Spadolini Pavilion
The film “Tango en Penumbras” (Tango in Twilight) by Doctor Teresa Mular (Argentina, 2024) will be screened as a national première on the occasion of the XV Florence Biennale. Following the presentation of “Can’t Stop the Sun from Shining” at the XIII Florence Biennale in 2021, Teresa returns this year with her new work, completed in 2024.
In this film, Teresa takes us on a journey into the life of a 74-year-old chemist who, at the age of 28, tragically lost his sight—presumably due to a prank that has gone awry at a postgraduate party. While the prank is speculated to be the cause, there remains a possibility that glaucoma was the actual underlying condition. After decades of living in darkness, a serendipitous attempt at tango becomes a beam of light, illuminating his world in ways he never imagined. His fascination with tango’s movements and music is both passionate and hauntingly captivating. Each step brings him joy and hope, filling him with newfound self-confidence, self-respect, and a sense of self-worth.
Reflecting on the theme of the XV Florence Biennale, Teresa employs her distinctive storytelling approach to explore the dichotomy between light and darkness, followed by the duality of the visible and the invisible. Through this, she challenges the notion that sight is the only path to experiencing beauty or attaining physical and spiritual fulfilment.
-
6 pm
"Die Höhenluft - für Alle und Keinen" by Mika'Ela Fisher
Screening
Theatre Area - Spadolini Pavilion
The film “Die Höhenluft - für Alle und Keinen” (Pure Mountain Air – For All and No One) by Mika’Ela Fisher (Germany, 2023) will be screened as a national premiere on the occasion of the XV Florence Biennale.
With extensive references to Nietzsche’s “Thus Spoke Zarathustra”, the film focuses on two opposing characters (their names, Angra and Spenta, come from Zoroastrian theology and characterize cosmogonic dualism) who represent two sides of the same coin. From the top of a mountain, Angra and Spenta observe the humans below, unwitting targets of their sick game, and pull the strings of these poor puppets, torn between good and evil. "Die Höhenluft - für Alle und Keinen" is a curious film, characterized by a certain cynical humour, which questions our free will and which also represents a reflection "on the human being; which I see as torn, manipulable, but still responsible for his actions and decisions", as the director stated.
-
11 am
‘Experiential workshops on light and shadow’ (for children) by Laura Izzi
Workshop
-
4.30 pm
‘Experiential workshops on light and shadow’ (for children) by Laura Izzi
Workshop
-
5 pm
Lecture by Gregorio Luke (eng)
Theatre Area - Spadolini Pavilion
-
12 pm
ADI - Association for Industrial Design (Tuscany), ‘Eccellenze toscane, Compassi d'oro e Index’.
Theatre Area - Spadolini Pavilion
Curated by Perla Gianni Falvo.
-
3 pm
Artists and Designers Award Ceremony
Theatre Area - Spadolini Pavilion
During each edition of the Florence Biennale, the exhibiting artists and designers who stand out for their works in the competition in the relevant categories receive the "Lorenzo il Magnifico" (for Art) and "Leonardo da Vinci" (for Design) awards assigned by an International Jury made up of distinguished personalities from the world of art and culture.