Description
Book SynopsisSan Lorenzo, a neighborhood in the historic centre of Florence, and home to a market that has existed since before the Renaissance, is in transition. Globalization pressuresspecifically international tourism and immigrationare forcing changes in the way vendors work, which in turn raises larger questions about identity.
Trade ReviewLike Schiller, I, too, love Florence and have visited it many times, and taught there as well. So I feel very confident in saying that hers is a well-done book, her portrait of the San Lorenzo Market exactly the one I know, too. She cites all the relevant experts: Barth, Bourdieu, Geertz, Goffman, Herzfeld, Kertzer, Turner, as well as many more recent Italian articles and books on Florence. Her knowledge of spoken Italian, particularly its proverbs, appears extensive. -- Gloria Nardini, Journal of Folklore Research
Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Acknowledgments 1. San Lorenzo Neighborhood and Its Globalized Market A Marketplace in Transition Migrations and Complications Civic Administration and Politics in San Lorenzo Fieldwork as an Apprentice Vendor Marketplace Performance in the Theater of Sales Some Dilemmas of Fiorentinita 2. A Mercantile Neighborhood across Time A City of Merchants San Lorenzo in Medieval and Medicean Times Old, New, and Newer Markets From Traveling to Stationary Peddlers Diversity in the Most Cosmopolitan Part of the City Choosing the Right Vendor Identity and Heritage in a World Heritage Site 3. Lives and Livelihoods on Silver Street How Some Vendors Got Their Start Merchants and Their Merchandise Finding Work in San Lorenzo Competition in Close Quarters The Best Work Customer Relations Making Cents in San Lorenzo 4. Into the Heart of Florence Long-Term Vendors and Newcomers Fixed Merchants and Infringers Unlicensed Vending in the Marketplace Talking to the Neighbors 5. Saving San Lorenzo A Neighborhood Association The Saint Orsola Project and the Search for "Monna Lisa" Tsunami on the Market Stands Fiorentinita and Its Discontents 6. Fiorentinita in a Post-Florentine Market Bibliography Index
