It was a gorgeous Friday morning. Not a cloud in the light blue sky and a refreshing chilly breeze made for a great day to be outside and traveling.
This perfect spring day was elevated by the sight of duckling yellow flowers everywhere: Men were selling them on the street, they decorated almost every cafe table and flower shop and even the 99-cent stores sold vases full.
After a while, it felt necessary to look up why Florence had an obsession with these bright yellow fuzzies on stems suddenly. It was for International Women’s Day– today.
While I never knew that it was a holiday until the day before, it holds great significance here. La Festa Della Donna is celebrated every year on March 8th. This celebration of women honors the struggles and victories of the remarkable women working towards gender equality. There are events, festivals, and a few special offers across the country for the special day. For example, all state-run museums give free admission to women.
The yellow mimosa flower– found throughout Italy – is gifted to women to show support and recognition. Originally, Lilies of the Valley and Violets were given out, but Italian partisan and political activist Teresa Mattei believed those were too expensive for people in rural Italy.
So, with the help of Rita Montagnana, another women’s rights activist, Mattei changed the traditional Women’s Day flower to the Mimosa to symbolize sisterhood, strength and respect. Also, it is quite illustrative that the Mimosa can survive in difficult conditions and the tree they come from serves many purposes from the fruit that grows on it to the wood and bark.
My friend and I were supposed to go to Milan for the day. However, my bus tickets were carelessly made for Saturday (by me). Therefore, this beautiful sunny Friday was spent exploring more of Florence. After learning our bus was not for another 24 hours, we trammed back from Villa Costanza while deciding what to fill our day with.
The building of the Bargello had a rich history before becoming a museum. From the year 1255, it was the headquarters of the Capitano del Popolo and later of the Podestà and Council of Justice. 300 years later, it was used as a prison and the living quarters of the chief of police. Now, it houses sculptures and collections of trinkets and has maintained the courtyard in the center.
On our way to this museum, we saw a banner advertising a music festival happening that afternoon for Festa Della Donna. At 4 p.m., the Duomo Piazza crowded with locals and tourists alike there to listen to good music and celebrate all the women in their lives.
It felt incredibly serendipitous that we stayed in Florence. Not only did we get into museums and see live music for free, we were given the chance to connect to this beautiful and empowering tradition. Buona Festa Della Donna to all of the amazing women out there!
Lillian Hendel can be contacted at
lhendel@kscequinox.com
