Welcome to Prime Viste Firenze -
First Views Florence!

Welcome to Prime Viste Firenze - First Views Florence!
Many people are familiar with Florence, Italy. Its vast collection of renaissance treasures and its unmistakable picture postcard vistas, make it a must see destination for many travelers. But what is it like to live in Florence? Are Florentine residents merely on display in a city-wide museum or is there real life to be lived in Florence? Prime Viste Firenze brings you local events, traditions, and sites that attract the residents and make Florence a city that continues to thrive on artistic expression.

Let's start with café society. These two words conjure images of an old world European lifestyle. Students, artists, writers and local thinkers are loyal patrons of their favorite cafes in town. This month we focus on one very special Florentine cafe that encourages emerging artists by providing them with a venue to display their work.

The photos to the left are imagery from the Giubbe Rosse Café, Florence, Italy.

Giubbe Rosse
The literary café, Giubbe Rosse, is named for the bright red jackets worn by its wait staff. Located on the southern side of Piazza della Repubblica, number 13/14R it has stood the test of time. Although this piazza has changed its name and its appearance over the last 125 years, the Giubbe Rosse Café remains faithful to its original purpose and continues to honor this tradition today. As the home to the Italian Futurist movement in the early 1900s, the Giubbe Rosse opened its doors to the artists and writers who struggled with the social, artistic, literary and philosophical questions that ushered in the 20th century. Even today, one still sees displayed on the café's walls the works and manifesto that chronicle the ideas of Italian Futurism. The café celebrates its historic past and at the same time contributes to the cultural and artistic future of Florence. Giubbe Rosse offers a unique venue for young artists and poets to perform and display their works. Giubbe Rosse is the heart of Florence's spoken word and artistic avant-garde. Currently on display are the photographs of Pietro Polizzi. For a list of events visit the Giubbe Rosse web site.