On September 25, 2024 the Big Event took place in Florence, an initiative organized by American universities to help clean up the city. The Big Event was created ten years ago, in 2014, through the collaboration between American universities in Florence and neighborhood, local, and regional volunteer organizations. The initiative has the goal of cleaning the city of litter and small waste, particularly the ever-present cigarette butts, which significantly contribute to the feeling of neglect and disrepair in certain public areas. It is also an opportunity for American students in Florence to give back to the community and show that they care for their host city.

All the students involved in the initiative met in piazza Santo Spirito, before heading off to designated areas of the city. For ISI Florence, seven students volunteered: George Owen (University of Connecticut), Dylan Dzat (University of Connecticut), Daniel Dragotto (University of Connecticut), Aryan Badgujar (Rutgers University), Connor Adams (University of Connecticut), Michael Scupari (Rutgers University), and Parker Sutliff (University of Texas, Austin).  “Armed” with brooms, dustpans, trash grabbers, gloves, bags, they walked to piazza Demidoff, a green and quiet square in the Oltrarno neighborhood, just on the other side of Ponte alle Grazie opposite Palazzo Bargagli. On the way there, the group received smiles and compliments from the passersby, as many tourists and residents got curious about what they were up to.

They spent a couple of hours collecting cigarette butts, plastic glasses and the like from every corner of the square. A dog’s owner, who was passing by, took the opportunity to thank them because he was happy that his dog didn’t have to walk on abandoned waste on their daily walk! Serena Giorgi, ISI Florence Coordinator for Community Engagement, was impressed by the enthusiasm and collaborative spirit of the students who chose to participate, and this initiative, once again this year, made her reflect on how even a small contribution can make a difference. In fact, even though the square looked clean at first sight, when looking closely you could spot dozens of cigarette butts on the ground. The students soon filled a whole big trash bag!