Latest news with #SaraFunaro
Al Bawaba
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
50,000 shrouds hung on buildings across Italy — what's the reason?
Published May 25th, 2025 - 10:13 GMT ALBAWABA - Italians commemorated the deaths of continued Israeli bombardment on the besieged region by displaying Palestinian flags and symbolic white shrouds from balconies, windows, and public spaces in a powerful demonstration of solidarity with Palestinians in as "50,000 Shrouds for Gaza," the countrywide initiative attracted participation from both big and small communities, including Rimini, Milan, and Florence. In order to raise awareness of the growing number of civilian deaths in Gaza, the campaign asked for white sheets, which represent burial shrouds, to be hung in public areas and residential Florence Municipality joined the initiative by hanging a white sheet from the balcony of the Palazzo Vecchio, its ancient government structure, in an uncommon display of institutional solidarity. On social networking site X, Florence Mayor Sara Funaro said, "We are taking part in the '50,000 Shrouds for Gaza' campaign," expressing her support for the effort. We cannot ignore Prime Minister Netanyahu's government's careless actions. Our city has long been a symbol of human dignity, rights, and peace. Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered around the symbolic shrouds in a number of city squares, escalating the campaign's demand that the carnage in Gaza stop. The project highlights the rising popular outrage about Israel's military activities and the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and is one of the most extensive and well-coordinated citizen protests in Italy in recent months. The protest's nonviolent and symbolic aspect, which intended to draw attention to civilian suffering and demand international responsibility, was stressed by organizers. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Local Italy
09-05-2025
- Business
- Local Italy
Florence to clamp down on short-term holiday rentals amid housing crisis
The new rules, due to come into force on May 21st, involve the creation of a municipal register of tourist rentals. Under the act, which aims to put the brakes on the rapidly expanding number of tourist rentals and make more homes available for locals amid a severe housing crisis, the council would issue permits to registered holiday lets. These permits would have a five-year validity period and be tied to both the property and the owner, meaning they would become void in the event of a sale. Properties that aren't rented out to tourists over a 12-month period would lose their permits, though this wouldn't apply to landlords who rent their place under longer, non-tourist contracts, for at least 30 days at a time. The act also includes a ban on new holiday rentals in Florence's historic centre – a measure the city council first attempted to pass two years ago, but that has faced staunch opposition from landlords. In addition, the act introduces strict new regulations governing minimum property size (at least 28 square metres for couples and families) as well as safety requirements, including the installation of carbon monoxide detectors and access to fire extinguishers. Holiday lets attached to the landlord's primary residence, such as a bedroom in someone's home, are excluded from the rules. A task force coordinated by local police would be set up to conduct checks and enforce the regulations, according to Italian media. Those found illegally letting their properties in violation of the rules could face fines of between €1,000 and €10,000. People in many parts of Italy have struggled to find rental accommodation in recent years due to a lack of affordable housing – a problem that in popular tourist destinations like Florence is compounded by landlords' preference for highly profitable short-term lets. Mayor Sara Funaro, from the centre-left Democratic Party, said the act's passage represented 'an important day for Florence'. 'We need a city not only with rules for short-term tourist rentals but also a city where the real estate market is sustainable for citizens," she said. Jacopo Vicini, Florence's tourism and economic development councillor, said the council expected to see an 'immediate containment' of the rapid growth in tourist rentals and a reversal of the trend within three years as a result of the regulations - though didn't explain how it had arrived at those estimates. Italy's government in January launched its own national register of tourist lets to curb overtourism and tackle tax evasion; however, as of late February, only 78 percent of landlords in Florence had complied, despite those who flout the rules facing fines of up to €8,500. Local right-wing groups and landlords associations said they would appeal Florence's new rules in Tuscany's regional courts. The regulations are 'a set of oppressive and illegitimate rules, which aim to discourage free enterprise and punish those who rent out their homes,' said Marco Stella, a Tuscan regional councillor and member of the Forza Italia party. 'It is clear that those who impose these rules hate the production of wealth and jobs.' Lorenzo Fagnoni, president of Property Managers Italia and CEO of Apartments Florence, said the act was 'an illogical and discriminatory forcing that we will oppose with every possible legal instrument."
Fashion Network
09-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Gucci celebrates its roots with Cruise 2026 show in historic archive
Gucci, the Florence-born fashion house owned by Kering, will return to its hometown to present the Cruise 2026 collection with a show at the brand's archive inside Palazzo Settimanni, located on Via delle Caldaie. "Returning to Florence — particularly to Palazzo Settimanni — is both a tribute and a statement of intent," said Stefano Cantino, CEO of Gucci. "The archive is not only the guardian of our past, but a dynamic space where Gucci's identity codes intertwine and are renewed through constantly evolving interpretations. Presenting the Cruise 2026 collection here means renewing our connection with our cultural and artisanal roots, projecting them with coherence and ambition toward the future." Nestled in the heart of Florence's Oltrarno district, Palazzo Settimanni has belonged to Gucci since 1953. Over the decades, it has housed ateliers, workshops, and showrooms. Since 2021, the historic building has also served as home to the Gucci Archive—meticulously restored to showcase the richness of its layered architecture and preserve the maison's most iconic creations. Florence's mayor, Sara Funaro, expressed pride in hosting the event: "We are proud to host Gucci's Cruise collection show in Florence — an extraordinary event in the city where the brand was born, and in the place that best tells its story, the archive in Palazzo Settimanni, in the charming and distinctive Oltrarno district." "A location full of history and meaning, situated in the part of the city where the artisanal vocation is most deeply felt and present — a strong identity trait we are committed to enhancing. The bond between Gucci and Florence is deep and has never been broken despite the maison's international success." "This will be a homecoming for a brand that, in reality, never truly left this home — a brand that has always kept its roots alive and constantly strengthened its relationship with our region, not only through important production hubs but also through iconic locations that have enriched our city's streets." "This event also highlights Florence's central role in the fashion system, thanks to excellences like the Gucci maison. We are talking about a crucial sector for our local economy, which is going through a complex moment, but has always been rich in great expertise and capable of facing the present and future challenges." In conjunction with the Cruise 2026 show, Gucci will reaffirm its commitment to Florence by contributing to the Estate Fiorentina 2026 cultural initiative and Parco delle Cascine's redevelopment.
Fashion Network
08-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Gucci celebrates its roots with Cruise 2026 show in historic archive
Gucci, the Florence-born fashion house owned by Kering, will return to its hometown to present the Cruise 2026 collection with a show at the brand's archive inside Palazzo Settimanni, located on Via delle Caldaie. "Returning to Florence — particularly to Palazzo Settimanni — is both a tribute and a statement of intent," said Stefano Cantino, CEO of Gucci. "The archive is not only the guardian of our past, but a dynamic space where Gucci's identity codes intertwine and are renewed through constantly evolving interpretations. Presenting the Cruise 2026 collection here means renewing our connection with our cultural and artisanal roots, projecting them with coherence and ambition toward the future." Nestled in the heart of Florence's Oltrarno district, Palazzo Settimanni has belonged to Gucci since 1953. Over the decades, it has housed ateliers, workshops, and showrooms. Since 2021, the historic building has also served as home to the Gucci Archive—meticulously restored to showcase the richness of its layered architecture and preserve the maison's most iconic creations. Florence's mayor, Sara Funaro, expressed pride in hosting the event: "We are proud to host Gucci's Cruise collection show in Florence — an extraordinary event in the city where the brand was born, and in the place that best tells its story, the archive in Palazzo Settimanni, in the charming and distinctive Oltrarno district." "A location full of history and meaning, situated in the part of the city where the artisanal vocation is most deeply felt and present — a strong identity trait we are committed to enhancing. The bond between Gucci and Florence is deep and has never been broken despite the maison's international success." "This will be a homecoming for a brand that, in reality, never truly left this home — a brand that has always kept its roots alive and constantly strengthened its relationship with our region, not only through important production hubs but also through iconic locations that have enriched our city's streets." "This event also highlights Florence's central role in the fashion system, thanks to excellences like the Gucci maison. We are talking about a crucial sector for our local economy, which is going through a complex moment, but has always been rich in great expertise and capable of facing the present and future challenges." In conjunction with the Cruise 2026 show, Gucci will reaffirm its commitment to Florence by contributing to the Estate Fiorentina 2026 cultural initiative and Parco delle Cascine's redevelopment.
Fashion Network
08-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Gucci celebrates its roots with Cruise 2026 show in historic archive
Gucci, the Florence-born fashion house owned by Kering, will return to its hometown to present the Cruise 2026 collection with a show at the brand's archive inside Palazzo Settimanni, located on Via delle Caldaie. "Returning to Florence — particularly to Palazzo Settimanni — is both a tribute and a statement of intent," said Stefano Cantino, CEO of Gucci. "The archive is not only the guardian of our past, but a dynamic space where Gucci's identity codes intertwine and are renewed through constantly evolving interpretations. Presenting the Cruise 2026 collection here means renewing our connection with our cultural and artisanal roots, projecting them with coherence and ambition toward the future." Nestled in the heart of Florence's Oltrarno district, Palazzo Settimanni has belonged to Gucci since 1953. Over the decades, it has housed ateliers, workshops, and showrooms. Since 2021, the historic building has also served as home to the Gucci Archive—meticulously restored to showcase the richness of its layered architecture and preserve the maison's most iconic creations. Florence's mayor, Sara Funaro, expressed pride in hosting the event: "We are proud to host Gucci's Cruise collection show in Florence — an extraordinary event in the city where the brand was born, and in the place that best tells its story, the archive in Palazzo Settimanni, in the charming and distinctive Oltrarno district." "A location full of history and meaning, situated in the part of the city where the artisanal vocation is most deeply felt and present — a strong identity trait we are committed to enhancing. The bond between Gucci and Florence is deep and has never been broken despite the maison's international success." "This will be a homecoming for a brand that, in reality, never truly left this home — a brand that has always kept its roots alive and constantly strengthened its relationship with our region, not only through important production hubs but also through iconic locations that have enriched our city's streets." "This event also highlights Florence's central role in the fashion system, thanks to excellences like the Gucci maison. We are talking about a crucial sector for our local economy, which is going through a complex moment, but has always been rich in great expertise and capable of facing the present and future challenges." In conjunction with the Cruise 2026 show, Gucci will reaffirm its commitment to Florence by contributing to the Estate Fiorentina 2026 cultural initiative and Parco delle Cascine's redevelopment.
