The Florence International Antiques Fair has reached its fiftieth year, a tangible sign of a format that has triumphed over time, in a winning combination of the quality of the works, the excellence of the provenance and the prestige and elegance of the layout and decor.

The exhibitors, all of great international prestige, will be around 90 in number. 

For the 50th anniversary celebrations many novelties are scheduled, among which we would note the Reception Committee co-ordinated by the Marchioness Bona Frescobaldi, on which many figures representative of international society have been invited to serve. A gala dinner is programmed in their honour on 24 September in the Salone dei Cinquecento in Palazzo Vecchio.

Further, the Committee of the Biennale intends to organise a study conference devoted to the regulations in force in Italy governing the exportation of works of art. To this end, Dr. Cristina Acidini, Soprintendente Speciale per il Polo Museale Fiorentino has been contacted, and is appraising the possibility of inviting the Directors of the leading museums in the world to Florence during the period of the Biennale.

The collateral show will be devoted to the manufactory of Trapani, with the display of several works made of coral and bronze originating from the Galleria Estense and the Bargello Museum.

This year the “Il Lorenzo d’oro”, prize, which was set up in 2007 for a short film dealing with art, will be assigned to the eminent director Folco Quilici by a jury composed of Claudio Strinati, Rubino Rubini, Luca Verdone and Cristian De Sica.

The literary prize will instead be assigned to the “Antologia di Belle Arti” – published by Umberto Allemandi & C., for the merit achieved by the journal in the field of historic and artistic studies.

The scheduled inaugural events are:

24 September 2009 – Gala Dinner in Palazzo Vecchio – Salone dei Cinquecento

25 September 2009 - 13.00 - Breakfast on the terrace of the Rondò di Bacco (international guests)

25 September 2009:

• 11.00 - Press Conference at the Four Seasons Hotel
• 16.00 - 19.00 Preview reserved for Fine Arts Commissioners, Museum Directors and Collectors
• 21.00 - Vernissage

26 September 2009 - 10.30 - Inaugural ceremony in Palazzo Vecchio, Salone dei Cinquecento

26 September 2009 - 21.00 - Charity auction in favour of “Corri la Vita”

Calendar of events:

28 September 2009 - Conference dealing with the legislation in force in Italy governing the exportation of works of art, at the Auditorium of “La Nazione”

28 September 2009 - 20.00 - Dinner in Palazzo Martelli for Conference guests

30 September 2009 - Prize-giving for the finest painting and sculpture exhibited at the fair. The winning exhibitors must devote the prize money (Euro 10,000.00 each) to the restoration of a work of art from the public cultural heritage.

1 October 2009:

• Award of the “Il Lorenzo d’Oro” prize
• Evening in honour of the exhibitors