We are delighted to welcome the Mayor of Florence, Sara Funaro, to the British Institute for an informal wide-ranging conversation with John Hooper, Italy correspondent for The Economist.  They will discuss Mayor Funaro’s priorities in government as well as her ideas about her home town, including such themes as overtourism, safe streets, the green economy and public transport.  How can the preservation of some of the world’s greatest cultural heritage accommodate the needs of a modern economy and a progressive social agenda in “the world’s smallest global city” ?

There will be time for Q& A with the audience, in the room and on the Zoom.

Born in 1976, Sara Funaro is the granddaughter of Piero Bargellini, mayor of Florence during the 1966 flood of the Arno.  She studied clinical psychology at the University of Florence and   phenomenological psychotherapy at the University of Urbino  before entering local politics as a member of the Democratic Party. From 2014 to 2024 she was Councilor for health, reception and equal opportunities, when Dario Nardella was Mayor. She was elected Mayor of Florence in June 2024,  becoming the first woman to lead the city of Florence.

If you are in Florence and would like to attend the lecture in person at the British Institute Library, please register here and select the option IN PERSON or send an email to bif@britishinstitute.it.

The registration fee for in-person participation is €10 per person.

If you would like to attend the lecture online via Zoom, please register here and select the option ONLINE or send an email to bif@britishinstitute.it.

The registration fee for online participation is €5 per person.