Festival D’Europa is back in Florence! From 4 to 9 May 2023, in the context of SOU4YOU – The State of the Union for Young European Citizens, the city of Florence will host events, exhibitions, and meetings, reflecting on the objectives and pressing issues of the European Union.

The European University Institute’s flagship conference, The State of the Union, kicking off at the Badia Fiesolana on 4 May, anticipates a calendar full of activities and initiatives.

On 5 May, in occasion of SOU4YOU, an opportunity to enhance active and democratic participation and exchange and cultural interaction, various stands will be displayed in the Cortile della Dogana and throughout Palazzo Vecchio. From 5 to 9 May, Spazio Erasmus in Piazza della Repubblica, organised by the Erasmus+ Agency INDIRE, will also be a main hub hosting various activities and initiatives. Among the activities, there will be workshops, discussions with the speakers of the programme, entertainment, games, and DJ sets. Students, Erasmus alumni, educators, teachers, and European artists from Fondazione Teatro della Toscana will fill the square.  

On the same days workshops, organised by the Antonio Megalizzi Foundation and RFK Human Rights Italia, will animate the Murate Complex. 

On 6 May, the Historical Archives of the European Union will host the Open Day at the EUI’s Villa Salviati. On the same day, on the occasion of the EUROPE DIRECT Florence Blue Night, the Limonaia of Villa Strozzi will host a talk with journalist Cecilia Sala and photojournalist Stefano Schirato, followed by live music. The day will end with a concert by the Erasmus Orchestra at Niccolini Theatre.

Finally, on 9 May, on the occasion of the European Year of Competences, the Spazio Erasmus will hold the event “What competences for the future?”, a dialogue between university students and high school students on the skills that young people consider necessary for their future. The meeting on Europe Day is organised by Erasmus+ INDIRE, in collaboration with the University of Florence. 

The festival concludes with a roundtable to address the issue of gender equality and with a film screening at the Teatro della Compagnia.