No amount of rain or thunder was going to stop students, teachers, and native Florentines alike from gathering to hear from the esteemed author, Paolo Mugnai. On September 9, 2025, Mugnai and Dr. Edoardo Masciello, L2 language facilitator, presented Mugnai’s book, Journey to the Center of Florence, inside the Palazzi Community Center's Corridoio Fiorentino.

Mugnai has been an Italian teacher for foreigners for nearly thirty years. His work consists of a  combination of a notebook, a diary, and a novel recounting his experiences while teaching in Florence. Mugnai began teaching in 1995 and continues teaching to this day, expressing that his work is his “pleasure.” The book is dedicated to his wife, Angela, as she was once one of his students and inspires him each day.

Journey to the Center of Florence gives readers the opportunity to understand “how to learn Italian while having an unforgettable vacation.” This book is designed for foreign students, both young and old, who are looking to learn Italian in a fun and engaging way.

The book follows the rhythm of an imaginary day, taking the reader from morning to night, while teaching them about Italian language and culture. It presents short stories in the heart of Florence, each acting as a standalone unit for learning. These stories have daily progression but can also be rearranged like pieces of a didactic puzzle.

The ultimate goal of this book is to teach Italian, but in a more unique way than traditional schooling. The book focuses on learning by doing; students are encouraged to immerse themselves in the city and practice the language in real-life scenarios. This makes the entire process of learning Italian natural, fun, and authentic.

Journey to the Center of Florence is a collection of lessons from Mugnai’s various experiences in Florence, and while the book is small, it is “rich in ideas,” according to Mugnai. He urges readers to write in the book while experiencing Florence to remember the colors, the flavors, and the scents encountered throughout the city. Further, the book can be viewed as a tourist guide; by flipping through the pages, readers can plan their perfect day in Florence.

In his work, Mugnai exclaims that foreigners must use the Italian language as a way to get to know people, to understand new places, and most importantly to learn something about themselves. For example, Mugnai urges students to go into a coffee shop in Florence, but not solely for a cappuccino. Instead, he preaches using this opportunity to get to know the barista and learn about their life, their experiences in Italy, and their culture. With small interactions like this, foreign students truly begin to grow closer to the city they are visiting and build meaningful connections.

Both Mugnai and Masciello worked together throughout the presentation to share the key lessons of the book while engaging with the audience and accepting questions from eager attendees. Their passion when speaking about Mugnai’s work was infectious and fostered an enthusiastic energy throughout the event. Each audience member left this presentation with a newfound excitement to further learn the Italian language by exploring the city of Florence, immersing themselves in the history and culture, and forging connections with those around them.

Following the event, we had the absolute privilege of conducting a brief interview with Paolo Mugnai to delve deeper into his experience with the book and his life while writing. When asked what inspired him to begin a career in teaching, Mugnai explained that his love of travel led him in this direction. Since he doesn’t have the opportunity to travel as much as he would like, teaching foreign students about Florence while they are travelling is how he experiences other cultures and learns from new people. Mugnai also shared that after reading this book, he hopes that students will practice the book – try the food, drink the wine, and use the lessons taught in everyday life.

Mugnai's advice for someone just beginning their journey in learning the Italian language is simple. His first step in this process is to go to the center of Florence and take in all the surroundings. Here, one can truly understand the “heart of Florence” and begin to embrace the Florentine culture. He also advises beginners to keep trying and not to let mistakes discourage them. Learning a new language is difficult but enriching, and it takes both time and effort. Journey to the Center of Florence is available online and for purchase here.

This event was an incredible opportunity to hear from a passionate author and teacher about his love for the Italian language, his process of immersing his students in Italian culture, and his own experiences in Florence. The next Book Reading at the Palazzi Community Center, entitled: "Oltre lo Stress", di Carlotta Colombo e Roberta Padovese will be held on Tuesday, October 7^th at 6:30 pm. Participation at PCC events are open to the public and free of charge, and always come with a complementary glass of prosecco. For more information, register here. This is an opportunity you are not going to want to miss.