School of the month: Europass, Florence
June 15th, 2008Views:1503
Posted by Europass Centro Studi Europeo, Italian language school in Florence.
Web site: www.europass.it
Information about the school
Located in the historical centre of Florence, EUROPASS is characterized by a familiar atmosphere and, at the same time, by a highly professional expertise, acknowledged by the Regional Council of Tuscany. Beside Italian lessons, we offer Culture, Art, Cooking, Photography and Design courses.
The school is attended by students of many nationalities and different ages. We also organize a summer school for teenagers over 12 and special week programmes for people over 50 all year through. Since 1992 our “learn while having fun” philosophy has been quite appealing both to adults and teenagers, as well as the many recreational and cultural activities offered every day after lessons. Just try!
FLORENCE BETWEEN PAST AND PRESENT
Florence as a city of art, driving force of the Renaissance and cradle of Italian language? That is true, but 21st century Florence should not be considered just as a big open-air museum. Beside the great monuments and the famous museums, and beyond the mass tourism flow, lies a slowly but constantly changing town, nowadays connected to many European cities.
During the 20th century Florence had a prominent role in Italy and Europe as a base of new trends in art and literature, the centre of Italian fashion from the Fifties to the Seventies, a fertile ground for new social and political experiences, and a meeting point for the dialogue between peoples and cultures.
Florence is now living between past and present, offering visitors a wide range of options to match their interests. Such historical neighbourhoods as San Frediano and Santo Spirito are still densely populated and affluent with small handcrafts workshops, reflecting its popular nature as it was described by Florentine writer Vasco Pratolini.
In spite of a relatively extended expansion, many areas still preserve a right balance between urban settlements and surrounding hills. The most important galleries and buildings periodically host modern painting and sculpture exhibitions. Some institutions organize and promote contemporary music, dance and theatre events. Inside classical Italian-style theatres, deconsecrated churches or former refectories one can listen to music by Berio and Stockhausen or by contemporary jazz composers, enjoy ballets by choreographers Micha Van Hoecke and Pina Bausch, or watch theatrical productions by directors Eimuntas Nekrosius, Jonathan Miller and Peter Greenaway. Old buildings like Stazione Leopolda and Fortezza da Basso often house fairs, exhibitions, fashion shows and conferences. Therefore, there are many good reasons why one should consider Florence as a European city by all means.
