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Florence, May 7, 2025 – The thrill of flight is back again this year, between the sky and fantasy, for adults and children. On Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May, the Visarno Cesare Meli Hippodrome hosts the fourth edition of the “Volare” flight festival, a weekend to discover and experience the dream of flight with your feet on the ground, with activities, shows and workshops.
From 11:00 to 21:00, the Cascine park will be transformed into a large village, with tethered hot air balloon flights (starting at 19:00, depending on weather conditions), helicopter overflights of the city, educational workshops for children, model airplanes, giant kites, flight simulations and drone demonstrations.
The spaces dedicated to Leonardo Da Vinci have also been confirmed, with working models of his flying machines and the fascinating mechanical eagle. There will be many activities dedicated to the little ones, from the do-it-yourself kite, organized by Pm Model, to the interactive workshops curated by FC Falconeria and I Predatori di Vallefredda, up to the possibility of putting yourself in the role of a military pilot by climbing aboard the cockpit of the National Aerobatic Team plane and living a unique experience with Virtual Reality thanks to the stand of the Institute of Aeronautical Military Sciences, where a workshop for children will also be set up.
In addition, the Galilei Museum, a partner of the initiative, will also be present, which will allow you to experiment with the use of some copies of scientific instruments such as the astrolabe, the nocturne and Galileo's telescope with which the great scientist brought celestial bodies closer to man. The collections of astronomical instruments at the Galileo Museum are among the most important in the world and demonstrate how man has scrutinized the sky since ancient times to orient himself, measure time and know the future.
To complete this program full of initiatives, there is also the choreographic performance of the Giant Kites of the FiloVola Association of Filippo Gallina.
All this will be accompanied by shows, talks, meetings and themed performances, as well as areas dedicated to Food & Beverage.
Volare – Festival del volo is organized by Le Nozze Di Figaro and Toscana Aeroporti SpA, with the contribution of Volotea, and in collaboration with the Institute of Military Aeronautical Sciences, Aeroclub of Florence “Luigi Gori”, F.C. Falconeria, I Predatori di Vallefredda, Museo Galileo Galilei and Museo Leonardo Da Vinci – Fondazione Pedretti.
“I would like to thank the organizers and all the entities that have contributed to proposing this splendid event again this year,” declared Mayor Sara Funaro, “an event that will enliven the Cascine park for an entire weekend and will allow Florentines and tourists of all ages to experience the magic of flight in the most varied forms. A special occasion to be amazed and enjoy the beauty of our city’s architectural heritage from a different and exclusive point of view, the sky.”
“Flight combines the best of technology and magic, it brings together the aspiration and dream of man. And Florence in this sense is the protagonist with its airport, with the Institute of Military Aeronautical Sciences and with the Galileo Museum, whose presence in this Festival I would like to enhance. It is one of the most important science museums, which offers visitors the opportunity to retrace the instruments that have made the history of aeronautics and flight, such as the nocturne, the astrolabe and Galileo's telescope. And still on flight, in Florence we have this fascinating story of the plumber Luder, who in 1795 took off in a hot air balloon from Piazza del Carmine. Our airport places Florence at the center of economic, cultural and social connections and contributes to making our city an increasingly sought-after destination on an international level. The constant growth recorded by the airport makes us proud and optimistic for the future”, declared the Councilor for Culture Giovanni Bettarini.
“We are proud to support the Festival del Volo again this year,” says Roberto Naldi, CEO of Toscana Aeroporti. “Flight has always represented one of the greatest achievements of human ingenuity, a symbol of progress and freedom. Promoting initiatives like this means strengthening the bond between our territory and the culture of flying, inspiring new generations and bringing them closer, with curiosity and passion, to the world of aeronautics and, therefore, of discovery.”
The main sponsor of the event is Volotea, the low-cost airline that connects Florence with 12 destinations: 5 in Italy (Alghero, Cagliari, Catania, Olbia and Palermo); 4 in France (Bordeaux, Lyon, Nantes and Toulouse); 1 in Germany (Hamburg); 1 in the Czech Republic (Prague) and 1 in Spain (Bilbao). Thanks to a proposal of comfortable, direct flights and competitive fares, the carrier also stands out for its commitment to promoting local cultural events, such as “Volare – Festival del Volo”, confirming its strong ties with the Tuscan territory. During the two days of the festival, Volotea will welcome visitors to its stand - located in the kite area - featuring a relaxation area with branded deckchairs and hostesses ready to illustrate all the news on connections departing from Florence.
“We are happy to return to the Festival del Volo, an event that perfectly embodies our spirit and our mission: to make flight accessible, surprising and close to people. This year too, we will be present with a space designed to welcome adults and children in a relaxed and informal atmosphere, where we can tell all the news of our network from Florence, without forgetting the convenient connections from Pisa to Olbia and Nantes” – says Valeria Rebasti, International Market Director of Volotea.
Through this initiative, Toscana Aeroporti, Volare Festival and Ultravox support Artemisia, a social promotion association committed to combating all forms of violence against women, children and adolescents and promoting their rights, first and foremost the right to freedom, safety and integrity.
Entrance has a symbolic cost of 5 euros, valid for both days.
Registration for workshops and activities is done directly on site.
For information and reservations regarding the priority line: segreteria@ultravoxfirenze.it
The filming during Volare Festival will be carried out by Dronisti Latini Film Making by Jacopo Bianchi.
Info www.ultravoxfirenze.it – www.lndf.it
