Based on Kering Asia Pacific Limited, Underlining Its Strong Ties With Florence, Kering Sponsors Improved Facilities For The Palazzo Vecchio Courtyard
As part of the ongoing conservation and restoration of the city’s artistic and cultural heritage, Kering and the Municipality of Florence are pleased to announce that the Paris-based global luxury Group will contribute to the renovation of the lighting system in the courtyard of the Palazzo Vecchio. The palace is one of Florence’s most famous symbols and the headquarters of the city council. The focus of the work is the Michelozzo courtyard, designed in 1453 and extensively transformed and embellished by Giorgio Vasari in the following century. It represents the noble entrance to the Palazzo Vecchio. Renovation of the lighting will begin in the coming months and continue throughout 2021.
“Exactly one year ago, when I was awarded the Fiorino d’Oro, I reiterated that Florence and Tuscany hold a particular significance for me and for the Group,” affirmed François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of Kering. “Precisely for this reason, we genuinely wanted to help the city during a particularly difficult time, and decided to contribute to the enhancement of one of the many wonders of the Palazzo Vecchio, a symbol of Florence and its cultural heritage and artistic splendor.”
“When we think of a place to invest in craftsmanship and managerial skills” – concluded Pinault – “this region is naturally the first that comes to mind, because it has always offered us such a combination of the highest quality.”
“I am very grateful to François-Henri Pinault, whom I have always esteemed as a farsighted and courageous entrepreneur,” said Mayor Dario Nardella. “Just a year ago, we awarded him the Fiorino d’Oro because he has always believed in our region, betting on the ‘Made in Florence‘ brand and offering job opportunities and career development to many young people.“
“Today, the Kering Group continues to invest in Florence, responding to the appeal we launched when cities of art in particular were hit hard by the effects of the pandemic. Michelozzo’s courtyard,” underlines the Mayor, “is a pearl of the Renaissance, which leaves those who cross the threshold of Palazzo Vecchio speechless. With this intervention, the courtyard will have a new lighting system that will enhance its beauty and, like any new light, be a sign of hope for the future.”
The work supported by Kering forms part of the Rinasce Firenze Plan, an initiative launched by the Municipality of Florence last spring in the middle of the first phase of the pandemic. Its aim is to encourage a socio-economic renaissance of the city by providing help for the cultural, economic, educational and tourism sectors.
The project provides further confirmation of the close link between Kering and the city of Florence city, where the French group continues to invest directly and through its brands. In recent years, in addition to the continued strengthening of Gucci’s leadership team and investments in the relaunch of Richard Ginori, the area has also been chosen by Kering as its base for leather goods production for Saint Laurent and Balenciaga.
SOURCE Kering Asia Pacific Limited