50 years ago this month Florence was overwhelmed by a severe flood, which claimed lives and also damaged many works of art, books and archives. The flood prompted an international rescue effort, and shaped the field of conservation. It also had a long-term impact on the city and has been linked with movements in Italian society more widely in the 1960s.

The University of Bristol Early Italian Studies research cluster invites you to mark this anniversary with us on Wednesday 23rd November. A screening of Zeffirelli's documentary 'Florence: Days of Destruction', made to raise awareness of the flood, will be followed by a panel discussion. Participants include Richard Haslam (Venice in Peril), who took part in the rescue efforts as a student; relatives of Italian residents and volunteers; and experts in the fields of conservation and environmental humanities. The event will be followed by a reception.

The screening and discussion will take place from 3.00 to 5.30, in Arts Complex Lecture Theatre 2, accessed via 3-5 Woodland Road, Bristol, BS8 1TB. Everyone is welcome! For more information, please email lucy.donkin@bristol.ac.uk.