In May 2014, a meeting was hosted at Palazzo Rucellai between ISI Florence Director Stefano U. Baldassarri, Florence Deputy Mayor Cristina Giachi, directors of other local study abroad programs, and Tuscan American Association representative Massimo Rapi.

On that occasion, Director Baldassarri proposed that starting from Spring 2016 a festival be held every two years to advertise the many activities that American study abroad programs promote in this city. The primary goal of the festival would be to make Florentines understand how much their city benefits from the presence of North American universities and their students. After a series of further meetings spearheaded by ISI Florence and other AACUPI members, most importantly co-secretaries Joanne Maddux and Fabrizio Ricciardelli, the project has grown to include university programs from other Tuscan cities as well as the prestigious British Institute of Florence.

The first edition of this biennial event will take place on March 9th-11th. It will involve no fewer than twenty university programs, study centers, associations, and volunteer organizations. The opening ceremony will take place at the Palazzo Vecchio in the presence of both local and foreign authorities, including Florence Mayor Dario Nardella, U.S. Consul General in Florence Abigail Rupp, AACUPI Director Portia Prebys, and Tuscan American Association Co-Director Andrea Davis.

For the complete festival program, which features conferences, concerts, art and photography exhibitions, and a host of volunteer activities by American students, please click here.