Florence, 24 June 2024 – Tonight the sky above Florence it will turn yellow. This time not for the dust from the Sahara, brought by the southern winds, but for the traditional ‘fires‘ Of Saint Johnpatron saint of the city, who will color the night yellow in homage to the departure of Tour de France 2024, right from Florence next Saturday. The fireworks display, scheduled for 10pm from Piazzale Michelangelo, will illuminate the Arno and the historic heart of the city like day with many plays of light: from the inevitable colored lilies to the national tricolour, then the yellow of the cycling race and the surprise ‘final volley’. Organized by the San Giovanni Battista Society, thanks to the contribution of CR Florence Foundation, the ‘fires’ will close a day full of events. The first appointments are scheduled in the morning with the tribute procession. The Offering of the Ceri in Baptistery and the delivery of the Crosses of St. John to Mayorin Piazza della Signoria, and atArchbishopin Santa Maria del Fiore, are the salient moments of the celebration to which is added the mass during which the ordination of Don Gherardo Gambelli new archbishop of Florence. The celebration, in Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiorewill start at 10.30 am and the main orderer will be Cardinal Giuseppe Betori. In the evening, before the 40 minutes of ‘fires’, the concert of the State Police musical band conducted by maestro Maurizio Billi takes place on the Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia (9 pm). The event will also see the extraordinary participation of the ‘Div4s’ and the tenor Cataldo Caputo.
To allow the ‘fires’ to take place in complete safety, the anti-glass and can ordinance will come into effect. From 6pm to midnight within the perimeter delimited by barriers, in Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia, Piazza dei Cavalleggieri, Lungarno delle Grazie, Ponte alle Grazie, Lungarno Serristori, Piazza Demidoff, Piazza Giuseppe Poggi and Lungarno Cellini will be prohibited: takeaway sales of drinks in cans, bottles and any other glass container by any commercial establishment; the administration of drinks in glass containers by public establishments; the introduction or possession, even for one’s own consumption, of drinks of any nature in cans, bottles or other glass containers. Changes to traffic are also expected. In Lungarno della Zecca (from Via delle Casine to Piazza Piave) a road narrowing will be in force until 1.30pm, followed by a traffic ban until 4am on Tuesday. From 8pm to midnight, transit bans will also be on Viale Michelangiolo, Piazzale Michelangelo, Viale Galileo, Via Marsuppini.
