The Jane Austen Society Florence, L'Atelier de Danse and Florence Costumes presented a Jane Austen Day at Villa Gerini in Sesto Fiorentino on Sunday 23rd May 2010. This grand family home, set in superb gardens, was the perfect setting for this delightful Regency Sunday.
Buses were organized to ferry people from Piazza Santa Trinità in the historical centre out to the Villa and by 3pm everyone had arrived and were ready for a stroll around the lake to the ruins of what was once the tea-house. Ladies fought off the brambles to save their muslin dresses and bonnets and parasols were shown off during the promenade round the English-style gardens.
There was a short shower of rain that sent everyone running for cover but it was soon over and the sun came out again.
Phil Thomason stopped taking wonderful photos long enough to get the gentlemen and more than one lady involved in a game of cricket! Then followed a game of croquet, quoits and Blind Man's Bluff, followed by a scrumptious afternoon tea. The date scones were a favourite!
Many then freshened up, changed outfits and slipped on their dancing slippers. Others played cards and board games.
At 8pm the quartet "I Musicisti Toscani" tuned their instruments and the Regency Ball began, with period dances lead by historical dance master M°Donald Francis, Artistic Director of L'Atelier de Danse in Florence. A Buffet Froid Supper was served during the evening and, while some caught the first bus back at midnight, other stayed on dancing till 2am.
To cap off a magical Weekend, the first fireflies of the summer came out and the garden glittered as everyone made their way through the garden to the real world outside.
An unforgettable event, as you can see from the photos!
Click on the image to see the photos!
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