Posted on 18 May 2018
“This is a beautiful place little known by Florentines, so it is a unique opportunity to visit a hidden corner of our city. The activities are well thought out, well organized and not trivial. The nice things for children, such as the bubbles, the theatre, the circus were a great success with everyone,” says Claudia Tognaccini.
Claudia is one of the 4,000 people who attended this year’s Open day at the Historical Archives of the European Union at Villa Salviati, making it the most successful Open Day in its six year history.
Inspired by Europe Day, every year in May the HAEU opens its doors to the European citizens for a day of art, music, and various other Europe-themed activities. The event takes place in the framework of The State of the Union conference organized by the European University Institute and aims to bring people together to celebrate in the name of a united Europe.
It is also an occasion to spread the word about the Historical Archives of the European Union, which are housed here at Villa Salviati. Tiziana Chelazzi, a visitor, says: “I was very astonished, because I always drive along via Salviati, but I’ve never seen a building like this hidden archival vault before. It was built in observance of the ancient structure, by digging and creating a suitable environment to preserve these archives, which are important for the whole of Europe.”
Visitors were given a chance to take guided tours allowing them to explore not only the memory of European integration stored here, but also the architectural and cultural heritage of Villa Salviati. Throughout the day, visitors enjoyed the beauty of its chapel, grotto and gardens, the vaults of the Historical Archives of the European Union, and admired a sculpture exhibition by artist Roberto Coccoloni.
“We enjoyed the grottoes and the agricultural structures in particular. I think it is a very extraordinary experience that should be repeated not just once but several times a year, so all the citizens can enjoy this place,” Guido Aldinucci says about his visit to Villa Salviati. Guido, who is now in his 60s, recalls when he used to climb over the wall of Villa Salviati aged 10 to 12 to pick cherries back when the Villa was still private property.
Today Villa Salviati hosts the Historical Archives of the European University, as well as the History and Law departments of the European University Institute. While it is usually filled with researchers, professors and academics, once a year during the Open Day families and children are given the opportunity to enjoy the grounds too.
Teatro Blanca and circus school Passe Passe organized circus workshops, including juggling, acrobatics and trapeze acts. Meanwhile Excellent Gusto and its partners offered food tasting and preparation workshops for kids. The Academy of Maggio Musicale Fiorentino and the youth orchestra REMUTO each performed musical pieces for the visitors.
EUI staff Sarah St. John says: “Throwing open the doors to share this experience [Open Day] with the wider Florentine community makes it all the more significant, acting as an important bridge between the EUI and the City of Florence.”