Culture and Leisure

Edinburgh Programme

Giardini di Toscana ¦ Historic Gardens Seminar ¦ Scotland's Garden Show ¦ Treasures from Tuscany - The Etruscan Legacy ¦ Edinburgh Twin Cities Football Tournament ¦

22 May to 26 June Giardini di Toscana (Gardens of Tuscany)

Thirty eight of the finest Tuscan Gardens form the colourful and informative focus of an exhibition, which examines the characteristics of the Italian garden from the Renaissance to the present day. Particular attention is paid to the creation, maintenance and restoration of Italian gardens in the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries, looking at Compton Acres in Bounemouth, Trentham at Stoke-on-Trent and Edinburgh’s own Lauriston Castle.

City Art Centre, 2 Market Street. Open Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm. Admission free.

Call 0131-529-3993 for further information.

22 May Historic Gardens Seminar GARDENS IN ITALY AND THE UK

Staged in conjunction with the Gardens of Tuscany exhibition, this one day seminar offers solutions to the problems of ageing and change in historic gardens.

City Art Centre, 2 Market Street.

Pre-booking is required. To reserve your place contact Sheila Hogg on 0131-529-7913

email: sheila.hogg@edinburgh.gov.uk

4 to 6 June SCOTLAND’S GARDEN SHOW

In 2004, Scotland’s top garden show will have a Florentine flavour as the City of Edinburgh recreates an Italian-style Garden. The civic contribution will contain bedding plants, evergreens and additional features direct from Tuscany.

Royal Highland Show Ground, Ingliston

For details of opening hours and admission, call Gardening Scotland on 0131-333-0969

email: info@gardeningscotland.com

16 July to 31 October TREASURES FROM TUSCANY, THE ETRUSCAN LEGACY

This hallmark exhibition offers a rare and fascinating insight into an ancient and sophisticated people. The Etruscans occupied a region between present-day Florence and Rome from 900BC, and enjoyed a distinct identity until they were granted Roman citizenship in 90BC. The Etruscans traded widely and are the source of many of the influences reflected in modern-day Italy. Treasures from Tuscany puts many pieces of the Etruscan puzzle into place. Almost 500 objects, gathered from some of the finest collections in Italy, offer a comprehensive introduction to Etruscan life and influences. The exhibition evokes the sights, sounds and smells of the beautiful region of Tuscany.

An exciting programme of events accompanies the exhibition, including study courses, jewellery and crafts workshops, music, opera and theatre. Visit our website at www.nms.ac.uk for more information.

Organised and presented by Centro Promozioni e Servizi, Arezzo, Italy and the Superintendence for Archaeological Heritage of Tuscany. In collaboration with Tuscany Region and the Italian Cultural Institute, Edinburgh.

Royal Museum, Chambers Street. Open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Tuesday 10am-8pm, Sunday 12 noon-5pm. Adult £4, Conc £3, Under 12s free.

18 to 25 July THE EDINBURGH TWIN CITIES FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

Florence’s FC Fiorentina competes in this under 15 tournament featuring the future stars of Bayern Munich, Kiev Select, emerging Chinese football and Edinburgh’s Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian. This friendship event also includes an international coaching inter-change on youth football development.

For further information contact Graham Croucher on

0131-529-7994, or email: graham.croucher@edinburgh.gov.uk 

8 August 2.30pm THE EDINBURGH FESTIVALS CAVALCADE

Featuring The Florentine Flagthrowers

Since 1976, the Cavalcade has been the curtain-raiser to Edinburgh’s summer festivals. This year, the famous Flagthrowers of Florence will join the cast of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in the parade from Market Street to Castle Terrace, by way of Waverley Bridge, Princes Street and Lothian Road. Over 3000 participants from Festival and Fringe shows, community groups, commercial floats, and bands from all over the world, will take part. An estimated 150,000 spectators are expected.

The Cavalcade is presented by David Todd Limited on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council, supported by the Edinburgh Evening News.

20 September to 14 November TUSCAN DRAWINGS FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF SCOTLAND

This exhibition will include some of the finest Tuscan drawings from the National Gallery’s collection. Concentrating on 16th- and 17th-century draughtsmanship, the works on show will explore a variety of genres, ranging from landscape to figurative studies, and illustrate the range of materials and techniques employed by artists of the period. The display is part of a series highlighting the outstanding quality and variety of the drawings housed in the Gallery’s Print Room.

Botticelli’s magnificent altarpiece The Virgin Adoring the Sleeping Christ Child, acquired by the National Gallery of Scotland in 2000, and recently exhibited in Florence, will be back on display at the Mound in time for the Tuscan Festival.

National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound, Edinburgh
Open daily 10am-5pm, Thursday late opening until 7pm. Admission free. For further information call 0131-624-6200

28 September 7.30pm LECTURE: TUSCAN ART IN THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF SCOTLAND c.1300 – 1750

By Sir Timothy Clifford, Director General

Playfair Lecture Theatre, National Gallery of Scotland,
The Mound. Approx 1 hour, Admission free.

For further information 0131-624-6200

27 September to 2 October FLORENCE AT THE ASSEMBLY ROOMS

Showcasing the crafts and produce of Florence
Goldsmithing, Contemporary Ceramics, Wines, Olive Oil, Pasta Sauces, Coffee, Wood products, Wrought-iron furniture
Taste, buy and admire from: Tuesday 28 September to Friday 1 October 11am-7pm, and Saturday 2 October 11am-4pm

Assembly Rooms, George Street, Edinburgh, Admission free!

During the course of the event, the Chambers of Commerce of Edinburgh and Florence will formally sign an agreement of co-operation.

28 September to 28 October OMAGGIO A FIRENZE

This photographic exhibition from the Alinari archives is a snapshot of the Florence of the 1800s: a piazza caught by surprise in summer, an empty corner. Re-discover the geography of a city designed for people without cars.

Italian Cultural Institute,
82 Nicholson Street.

Open Monday to Friday10am -1pm and 2pm - 5pm. Admission free.

25 September THE WINES OF FONTODI TASTING

Taste Fontodi’s current range of Tuscan wines, from all recent vintages at this complimentary in-store event.

Valvona & Crolla, 19 Elm Row, 11am - 4pm.

30 September FONTODI DINNER AND WINE TASTING

From the heart of the Chianti Classico Zone, one of Tuscany’s top winemakers, Giovanni Manetti of Fontodi, will lead diners on a wine trail through a superb four course meal prepared by Valvona & Crolla. Giovanni is making a special 24 hour stop-over to tutor this tasting for V&C customers.

Valvona & Crolla, 19 Elm Row. 7.15pm - 10pm.

Cost £45 plus wine discounts on the night.

Contact 0131-556-6066

email: sales@valvonacrolla.co.uk

2 October THE WINES OF ANTINORI

Taste Antinori’s current range of Tuscan wines, from all recent vintages, at this complimentary in-store event.

Valvona & Crolla, 19 Elm Row, 11am - 4pm.

October OCHRE VITA

Ochre Vita, Edinburgh’s contemporary Mediterranean restaurant, housed at Channings Hotel, is celebrating the colours and vibrancy of Tuscany throughout the month of October by serving a themed menu full of distinctive Tuscan culinary flavours. Complimentary glass of Tuscan wine on arrival.

Ochre Vita, South Learmonth Gardens, Edinburgh EH4 1EZ