“Surprise” awarding of the Gold Florin to Franco Zeffirelli

The Mayor of Florence Matteo Renzi presented Franco Zeffirelli with the Gold Florin, created by Paolo Penko, on the occasion of the presentation of his archive, donated to the city.

Surprise delivery of the Gold Florin, the highest Florentine honour, to director Franco Zeffirelli. During the presentation of his archives, donated to Florence, Mayor Renzi took off his jacket, putting on a more formal jacket with a tricolour sash, and announcing a surprise for Zeffirelli, presented him with the award.

The Municipality had long awarded the Gold Florin to the director, but Zeffirelli had never collected it.

“Without telling him anything,” joked Renzi, standing next to the maestro in front of cameras and journalists, “now I’m going to put on my tricolour sash and give him the Gold Florin”.