“Splendor of Florence, Sott’Acqua: A Tale of Two Cities Underwater” festival is set to take place from November 9-17, 2024, highlighting the themes of climate change awareness, drawing lessons from the flood events in Florence, Italy, and Hurricane Carol in Rhode Island. Sponsored by local organizations and educational institutions, the festival will offer a series of discussions, screenings, and community events, aiming to increase understanding and action regarding climate vulnerabilities.
The upcoming festival titled “Splendor of Florence, Sott’Acqua: A Tale of Two Cities Underwater” aims to highlight the impacts of climate change through the shared historical experiences of Florence, Italy, and Providence, Rhode Island, both of which have suffered significant flood-related disasters. The festival will be held from November 9 to 17, 2024, focusing on the devastating floods in Florence in 1966 and the repercussions of Hurricane Carol in Rhode Island in 1954. Hurricane Carol was a catastrophic event, resulting in the loss of 19 lives and substantial property damage across Rhode Island, where Downtown Providence experienced extensive flooding, reaching depths of up to twelve feet due to storm surges. The damages were estimated over $200 million, with thousands of homes and boats either destroyed or severely impacted. Joyce Acciaioli Rudge, the festival’s founder and creative director, expressed her hopes that the festival’s events will raise awareness about climate change and inspire action. Ruth Davis, coordinator of Splendor of Florence, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the recent flooding episodes experienced by Rhode Islanders and the importance of cultural exchanges in effecting change. The festival enjoys sponsorship from notable institutions, including Brown University, the Rhode Island School of Design, Save The Bay, and the Providence Resilience Partnership. The festival coincides with the commemoration of the Friendship Pact between Florence and Providence, which has been renewed after 25 years. Events planned include community discussions regarding climate vulnerability led by Michele Jalbert, a screening of Franco Zeffirelli’s documentary “Per Firenze,” and a variety of panel discussions focused on climate science, workforce readiness related to climate action, and community resilience. Notably, a roundtable discussion will feature experts from both cities engaging on the implications of climate change and responses to historical natural disasters.
The festival “Splendor of Florence, Sott’Acqua: A Tale of Two Cities Underwater” is designed to raise awareness about climate change by exploring the lessons learned from past natural disasters that have plagued Florence and Providence. Specifically, the catastrophic floods in Florence in 1966 and Hurricane Carol in Providence in 1954 serve as historical touchstones to highlight ongoing vulnerabilities to climate-related events. With growing concerns surrounding global flooding and heightened hurricane activity, the festival seeks to foster a deeper understanding and discourse on climate change, resilience, and community action.
In summation, the “Splendor of Florence, Sott’Acqua” festival represents an important initiative aimed at raising awareness about the pressing issue of climate change through the lens of historical flooding events in Florence and Providence. By facilitating community engagement, cultural exchange, and expert discussions, the festival aspires to motivate meaningful action and foster resilience against future climate-related disasters. The collaboration between various institutions underscores the significance of unity in addressing global environmental challenges.
Original Source: ecori.org
