Florence locals and students gathered in Corridoio Fiorentino for a unique event celebrating the work of Anton Francesco Grazzini, also known as Lasca.

The night featured readings of his short stories, which were rediscovered by presenter Zelda S. Zanobini in an old bookstore, where she was inspired by the timelessness of these tales.

Wanting to bring them back into publication, she along with some other collaborators edited and republished Lasca's stories.

His stories were set in Florence over a century ago and written in the traditional Florentine dialect. They provide a nostalgic glimpse into a city that no longer exists in the same way.

One reader described them as "a snapshot into a Florence that doesn’t exist anymore," a sentiment that resonated with the audience as they were transported to a bygone era. The stories revolved around a group of friends who played elaborate pranks on each other, often leading to unintended and disastrous consequences.

The event wasn't just about reliving the past, though. The speakers emphasized how important it is for students to engage with such stories. One speaker noted, "If I were in the U.S. hearing stories that do not belong to my background, they would let me learn something about the culture. So instead of being foreigners, it makes you closer to a new place right here." 

Zanobini echoed this thought, adding, "You can better feel our culture through these stories, because we directly come from that…very directly, we are the same, just technologies have changed."

The evening's readings did more than entertain—they forged a deeper connection between the students and the cultural fabric of Florence, proving that even centuries-old stories can still resonate today, bringing a city's history and spirit back to life.

The Palazzi Community Center hosts many events similar to this one. The next Made In Florence event will be held on Monday, October 28. The schedule can be found at the Palazzi Community Center website and events are open to students and the local community.