Florence Celebrations for Women’s Day 2025

“If you change the way you perceive things (your outlook), things will change,” is the message that this woman is communicating through the CaraDonna project

International Women’s Day (Festa della Donna), celebrated on March 8, is a day honouring the political, economic, and social achievements of women worldwide. In Italy, the holiday is observed by passing time together or by sharing meals with one another. It is also tradition for men to gift women small yellow mimosa flowers, a custom which dates back to WWII.

Florence is set to honour the occasion by granting free entry to state-run museums for all women and hosting a variety of cultural and social events across the city organised by District 4, offering an opportunity to engage with Florence’s rich artistic heritage while also reflecting on important social issues.

For the seventh consecutive year, there will be a protest organised by #LottoMarzo at 3 pm. Women will gather in Piazza Santissima Annunziata for an afternoon filled with interventions, performances, love, and anger.

The CARADONNA (dear woman) exhibition will take place from March 15 – April 2 at the Libri Liberi bookshop on via San Gallo 25r (open daily 6 – 8 pm), showcasing over 130 pictures of 115 women in the local community on display. They took part in a project which wrapped up recently in which uplifting messages of their choice were written on their body in eyeliner and had their photo taken especially for the show. The hope that this will inspire women and young girls to live their lives the way they want and to be proud of being who they are.

The museums which will be offering free entry to women include:

The Uffizi Gallery (8:15 am – 6:30 pm), which is home to masterpieces like Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus and Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation and is one of the most visited museums in Italy

Galleria dell’Accademia (8:15 am – 1:20 pm, possibly until 6:50 pm if the employees do not go on strike), which is famous for Michelangelo’s David, but also boasts a significant collection of Renaissance paintings and sculptures. The museum is located on via Ricasoli, 58/60.

Bargello National Museum (8:15 am – 6:50 pm), which is a medieval palace showcasing Renaissance sculptures by Donatello, Michelangelo, and Verrocchio, along with a collection of historic ceramics and textiles. The museum is located on via del Proconsolo, 4.

Orsanmichele (8:30 am – 6:30 pm), which was a former grain market turned church, is renowned for its Gothic architecture and sculptures commissioned by Florence’s trade guilds. The museum is located on via dell’Arte della Lana.

Medici Chapels (815 am – 6:50 pm), which contain the lavish burial sites of the Medici family, featuring Michelangelo’s sculptures and baroque decorations. The chapels are located on Piazza di Madonna degli Aldobrandini, 6.

Palazzo Davanzati (1:15 pm – 6:50 pm), which offers a rare glimpse into Renaissance domestic life, showcasing textiles, ceramics, and furnishings of a wealthy merchant family. The museum is located on via Porta Rossa, 13.

At the MAD Murate Art District, piazza delle Murate (off via Ghibellina) there will be space given to a special guided tour through the female voices of the nuns and noblewomen who over the centuries have lived within the walls of the former convent, including Caterina Sforza, Caterina Medici, and Camilla Martelli. accompanied by the music of La Filharmonie – Florence Philharmonic Orchestra, thus intertwining visual arts and musical language with guided tours. The tours are scheduled at 3 pm and 5 pm, with the concert for both groups happening at 4 pm.

Beyond museum visits, District 4 has organised a rich cultural and social programme to pay tribute to women’s achievements and raise awareness of gender-based violence. The calendar includes meetings, book presentations, musical and theatrical performances, and photo exhibitions.

The day’s events will kick off with ‘A mimosa for Andreea Cristina Zamfir,’ which will be a moment of remembrance and reflection for the victims of femicide organised by the Nosotras Foundation. The event will be held at 11:30 am at the Red Bench in Ugnano Park.

The 38th edition of Rosamimosa – women running against violence – will be taking place at 2 pm at the Stadio B. Betti, via del Filarete 5/A. The initiative includes a competitive running race of 8.5km open to women aged 16 and over in possession of a competitive athletics certificate, and a 5km recreational motor-walk, open to all women. Named after the two flowers inextricably connected with women, the rose and the mimosa, it is the oldest female running competition in Italy. Registration is possible until 30 minutes before the start of the race.

To conclude the events celebrating International Women’s Day, there will be a photographic exhibition called ‘Universo Donna, Mestieri e Talenti’ (Women’s Universe, Trades, and Talents) on Monday, March 10 at 6 pm. Located at Villa Vogel in the Sala Consiglio, via della Torri 23, the exhibition will feature a collection of images depicting female work and creativity, with the presence of actress Sara Bosi and the ‘LeMusiQuorum’ choir.  (Mina Lozanova)