The event, which will be held at the Saschall Theatre on March 6th, will host many different events, which will help us explore many aspects of British culture, from music to clothes, from theatre to art, from literature to motors, to strengthen the link between the city and all that is British. Britmania, which is supported by important British institutions operating in Italy like the British Consulate, the British Institute, Visit Britain and Angloinfo (this highlights the seriousness of the event and of the organisers? intentions), is an even more important event if we think that such an event, the British Week, was last held in Florence in 1966. After over 40 years, this new happening is going to bridge the gap in the best possible way.

Britmania will open at 5 p.m. (this is not fortuitous, as this is tea time, one of the most famous and appreciated British rituals), with the concert of Rent, a band playing Britpop, and HER, who have been influenced by the British underground scene. Music, an important feature of British culture, above all in the last years, will play a main role: throughout the day the theatre stage will host many bands playing the songs of some of the most appreciated and famous British artists: there will be a Beatles tribute band (Voxpower), a Queens? tribute band (Queenmania) and a Robbie Williams? tribute band.

There will be also many art, literature and theatre events that you cannot miss: the Saschhall will host an exhibition of works realised by British painters, photographers, sculptures and artisans, and the focus will be on those artists that live or work in Italy. As far as literature is concerned, there will be a literary salon, i.e. a space for debates, which will host the presentation of the review L'Ecologist and the debate Florence and UK: history of a long time relationship, which will make us discover that in the 19th century around a third Florence's citizens were foreigners, mainly from the UK, and that among them there were also well-known people like Robert and Elizabeth Browning. Between the magazine presentation and the debate visitors will have the possibility to watch The Betrayal, a work by the great playwright Harold Pinter, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2005. Thanks to this performance the company Florence International Theatre will give us the possibility to learn something more about another important feature of British culture.

However, British culture is not only art, literature, music and theatre: also many British objects and items have left their mark and have become symbols of the British style: to one of those symbols, the mini vintage, an exhibition will be dedicated, but visitors will have the possibility to find other interesting objects in the vintage and new items market.

Spending cheap vacations in Florence, the capital city of art, and discovering British culture at once is an opportunity that you cannot miss. Visit Britmania.

Tickets: 10 euro

Date: 6th march 2009

Location: Saschall Theatre, Florence, Italy