Florence Biennale

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Florence Biennale is the major contemporary art event in Florence (Italy), now in its XVth edition. The challenge of bringing contemporary art in the cradle of Renaissance is an occasion to create a prestigious exhibition moment for the international contemporary art production.

Since its foundation, the event enlivens the Medicean city every two years with a rich programme of side events such as conferences, displays, performances, workshops and lectures. Both artists and their audience have so many different opportunities for meet and comparison on various aspects of art and culture, with a particular focus on the theme of each edition of the biennial. The Florence Biennale is set up as a showcase for contemporary art and design: a free, independent and innovative ‘platform’.

The theme of the 15th edition of the Florence Biennale, which will be held from 18 to 26 October 2025, is dedicated to the primordial, eternal union between light and darkness, which has always been at the centre of artistic, as well as scientific, philosophical and literary research.

“The Sublime Essence of Light and Darkness” is therefore aimed at underlining the ability of art, as well as architecture and design, to give emotional awareness of the infinity and irresistible power of nature, a dimension in which opposites intertwine spontaneously, just as in society we can instead detect dramatic contrasts, such as wars, which make us lose sight of the meaning of our very existence.

The theme therefore leads to a reflection on the need to understand what seems opposite to us and which is instead part of a unitary system: our human race, our planet, our universe. A unitary system that requires our utmost care and at the basis of which there can only be mutual recognition and respect, dialogue and peace, which have always constituted the fundamental principles of the Florence Biennale.

The Florence Biennale announces the awarding of the prestigious “Leonardo da Vinci” International Prize for Lifetime Achievement (for Design) to Patricia Urquiola, the internationally renowned architect, designer and art director, on Thursday 23 October 2025.

On the occasion of its 15th edition, the Florence Biennale assigns the “Lorenzo il Magnifico” International Prize for Lifetime Achievement to the American film director and artist Tim Burton, who will be present on Tuesday 21 October 2025 at the Florence Biennale's theatre area, at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence.

Dialogue between peoples through art and culture is in fact one of the inspiring principles of this event. The Florence Biennale promotes the value of respect for diversity since its foundation, considering them a great enrichment from the artistic point of view but also human. By the same token, the event also strongly defends the importance of art and the role of artists in civil society, looking to the past and present to build a sustainable future. Artists, exhibitors, collaborators and those who participate in this event are called to compare themselves and dialogue inspired by these principles.