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The Florentine (affectionately known as TF) is the best-known and most respected English language publication in Florence, Italy. It is an independent free press, published monthly on paper and in real time online.

Established in April 2005, TF’s target audience is the vast English-speaking community that lives in Florence and Italy as well as lovers of Florence and Tuscany around the world. TF’s readers are also its writers. Thanks to a constant dialogue with its readers, TF was created as a grassroots publication, published for the community by the community. On Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram, TF’s native English editorial team actively welcomes comments and contributions.

Originally a fortnightly (or biweekly) publication, in 2014 The Florentine became a monthly paper publication with updates online in real time.

Readership
Readers of The Florentine fall into a range of categories. TF is distributed through 130 points throughout Florence, where it is enjoyed by English-speaking expatriates, foreign students, tourists and internationally-oriented Italians. Subscriptions are sent worldwide in paper and in pdf format, reaching readers in other cities in Italy, the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and more. TF’s print editions are available online and TheFlorentine.net website is browsed by Italy lovers worldwide who wish to be kept up-to-date on news and stay connected to Italy. TF is effectively a ‘glocal’ publication—devised and created locally in Florence, yet with a global reach and following.

Topics
TF has four main sections: Florence, Tuscany and Italy news; feature articles on current issues, people, culture, the arts, travel, food + wine and more; events listings and articles; and classifieds. This balance between news, events and feature articles makes TF a news magazine, with a longer shelf life than a simple newspaper.

Staff
The TF team benefits from its international outlook. The management and advertising areas are run by Italians, who also contribute to the overall look and editorial policy of the magazine, while TF’s native English editorial staff produce content for both the news magazine and its clients, and coordinate a network of external contributors. The paper vaunts 250+ contributors who range in age from 14 to 70 years, and live both in and beyond Florence and Tuscany.

History
April 2005: TF is based on an idea by Nita and Tony Tucker, U.S.-born expats who had lived in other cities around the world and were surprised not to find an English language newspaper in Florence. They partner with the Italian firm, B’Gruppo Srl, to make, print and distribute TF. When the Tuckers move away two years later, the rest of the team remains intact and continues to publish TF. December 2005 + 2006: Special issue ‘Ponte Vecchio Golf Challenge’ in Italian and English; produced as a supplement upon request of the organisers of this important international golf event that is played on the Arno River. May 2006: Founded The Florentine Press and published the first book Italians Dance and I’m a Wallflower by Linda Falcone, now in its third edition with over 6 000 copies. The catalogue now counts eight books, available on the e-commerce website www.theflorentinepress.com. November 2006: Special issue for the 40th anniversary of the 1966 Florence flood; produced with the institutional patronage of the Tuscan Region, the Province of Florence, the City of Florence, the Toscana-USA Association, and the Mediateca Toscana, the 32-page supplement features a welcome letter from U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy. 2007–9: TF receives provincial funding for two years to support ‘The Florentine in the classroom’ project, consisting of the production and distribution of content in English classrooms in Florence high schools. 2007–now: TF is awarded a contract to do all translations for turismo.intoscana.it, under the direction of Fondazione Sistema Toscana 2008–2010: The ‘TF Social Network’ anticipated social trends by organizing in-person events that in total brought together about a thousand people. November 2009: Special issue for the 90th anniversary of the British Institute of Florence, a 32-page supplement made upon commission. April 2009: TF celebrates its 100th issue. 2009: Upon request of the City of Florence, TF partners with the City of Florence to produce the English language website detailing the city’s services for foreign visitors and residents. The text and organization of this first site was updated and amplified in 2011. September 2010: Graphic overhaul of TF, introducing a new logo and a streamlined, more contemporary style April 2011: The Florentine is among two dozen local cultural associations invited to organise events at the newly reopened Le Murate complex by the City of Florence’s culture superintendent, Giuliano da Empoli. September 2011: Mayor Matteo Renzi asks TF for a space in which he can communicate directly with English speakers on the pages of TF. The column ‘Write the Mayor’ is launched. 2012: TF launches a series of walks and visits with licensed tour guide and editor-at-large Alexandra Lawrence. May 2013: TF gets a mention in Dan Brown’s bestselling book, Inferno. At the press conference held at the Palazzo Vecchio, Dan Brown said, ‘I was familiar with The Florentine from a visit here two years ago, and also online, and it was enormously helpful, obviously, to get a flavor. I would not have included it if I were not a fan.’ June 2013: The documentary, Invisible Women. Forgotten Artists of Florence, wins an Emmy award. It is based on the book written by TF’s culture editor, Jane Fortune, and published by The Florentine Press. The award is celebrated by the Italian premiere at Florence’s Odeon cinema, shown to a packed audience of 450 people.

January 2014: The Florentine launches its first ever digital-only issue, with unprecedented success—20,000 copies downloaded and read around the world. Based on this ‘experiment’, The Florentine changes tack and becomes a monthly paper publication with a digital-first approach to breaking news and events.