Dear readers,
91 years ago, Vernon Lee passed away at her Villa Il Palmerino, and every year, we faithfully remember her and pay homage to her. It is with much emotion that we are forwarding the beautiful, deeply sensitive schedule of events organised in Florence by our friends of the Associazione Culturale Il Palmerino.
We warmly invite you to join in and become members of this unique Association: associazione@palmerino.it
Do not forget to book in advance! Priority will be given to members of the associazione.
This years’ events are starting with the anniversary of Vernon Lee’s death, 13 and 14 February 2026. To quote from their announcement:
“Il 13 febbraio alle ore 17:30, Rita Severi, introdotta da Serena Cenni, ci parla della fascinazione per l’Italia di una giovane Vernon Lee, partendo da Bologna e dall’attrazione culturale di quella città universitaria e di quel conservatorio che la incoraggiarono a scrivere Studies of the Eighteenth Century in Italy (1880), che ebbe due traduzioni italiane e la resero famosa presso i critici e le persone di cultura. Dal periodo bolognese, vissuto intensamente a quattordici anni Vernon Lee trovò sempre un entusiasmo irrefrenabile per i luoghi, i personaggi e l’arte italiana.
On 13 February at 5:30 p.m., Rita Severi, introduced by Serena Cenni, will speak about the young Vernon Lee’s fascination with Italy. Starting from Bologna, she will explore the cultural attraction of this university city and its conservatory, which encouraged Vernon Lee to write Studies of the Eighteenth Century in Italy (1880). The book was translated twice into Italian and brought her recognition among critics and intellectual circles. From her intensely lived Bolognese period at the age of fourteen, Vernon Lee developed an enduring and irrepressible enthusiasm for Italian places, figures, and art.“
Mentre il 14 Febbraio al mattino alle 10:00 un piccolo gruppo guidato da Miguel Martinez, si recherà, come da tradizione, a omaggiare al Cimitero agli Allori la tomba portando un rametto di alloro. Mentre, nel pomeriggio, abbiamo dato carta bianca a Elisabeth Vermeer, architetta e artista internazionale che da tempo si occupa della realizzazione e della divulgazione di progetti interdisciplinari in Italia e all’estero. Dalle 16:00 alle 19:00 darà voce a 30 artisti che dedicano una loro creazione a Vernon Lee, un omaggio variegato che si concluderà con un brindisi ! On 14 February, in the morning at 10:00 a.m., a small group led by Miguel Martinez will, as is tradition, pay homage at Vernon Lee’s tomb at the Allori Cemetery, placing a laurel branch.
In the afternoon, we have given “carte blanche” to Elisabeth Vermeer, an architect and international artist who has long been engaged in the creation and outreach of interdisciplinary projects in Italy and abroad. From 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., she will give voice to thirty artists, each dedicating a creation to Vernon Lee. This varied and multifaceted tribute will conclude with a toast. “
