One of the most challenging things we face while trying to explain what makes this land so special is that we constantly have to fight stereotypes. Whenever people think about Tuscany, a series of images of outstanding beauty, art and refinement come to everyone's mind. While it is true that, sometimes, our motherland can offer such peaks of astonishing beauty, the reality is quite far from this picture-perfect image. Take our capital, for example. You might have the impression that once you've seen the greatest hits, the stuff everyone knows and cherishes you feel you know what this city is all about. You couldn't be more wrong. Florence is nowhere near as polished and refined as its incredible landmarks make you believe. Its soul is much more complex, steeped in centuries old traditions and not without a mean streak. If you want to know more about how this remarkable city really works, you're in luck as this week will offer you one of the best ways to get a glimpse into its very soul. That's why What's Up tuscany will bring you back to Florence to tell you everything there is to know about its most beloved festival, the Festa della Rificolona.

If you listen to the full episode you will learn how this festivity was born centuries ago around a Catholic holiday and the pilgrimage that brought many people from the countryside in town. I'll tell you how, according to some sources, the weird name would come from a very unpleasant nickname that Florentine youngsters would use to describe a rather prominent physical feature of the ladies coming from the countryside. You will also learn how the name was then used to describe the very colourful paper lanterns that turn downtown Florence into a veritable festival of light but also used to describe a woman that shows poor judgement when it comes to selecting her clothes. That's Florence in a nutshell, I suppose. Very poetic, beautiful but also rather mean, prone to excessive and relentless mocking. On the night of September 7, children love to show their paper lanterns while teenagers go around with blowpipes trying to burn them down. In the last part I'll tell you the many different events organised in and around Florence that will be able to turn that evening into a remarkable experience for you and your children. A final word: if Florentines mock you, don't take it personally. It's not that they don't like the way you look or talk: they just can't help themselves. We still love them and so will you, if you give them a chance.
Email: podcast@larno.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.toscanainside.com/it/aneddoti-e-curiosita/post/la-rificolona-un-buffo-nome-frutto-dello-scherzoso-spirito-fiorentino/
http://www.villalariflorence.com/it/la-festa-della-rificolona-tradizione-e-devozione-fiorentina/
https://www.firenzetoday.it/eventi/rificolona-firenze-2023.html
https://www.visita-firenze.it/eventi-e-folklore/festivita-fiorentine/la-rificolona

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Waiting
Pipe Choir - Children of the Son (Instrumental)
Incompetech - Leopard Print Elevator
Pipe Choir - A Midnight on Jaquay
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/waiting-original-uplifting-indie-pop-style-instrumentalcreative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumental
https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-a-midnight-on-jaquay-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/