Representing the European University Institute, MPC Director Andrew Geddes will address the ceremony by the City of Florence to present the Keys of the City to the actor Richard Gere at Palazzo Vecchio.

Gere has starred in more than 50 movies, including “Pretty Woman,” “An Officer and a Gentleman,” “Runaway Bride,” “Chicago” and “Shall We Dance.” The Golden Globe Award winner recently appeared in 2017′s “The Dinner” and a new BBC TV series, “MotherFatherSon.”

He’s also known for his humanitarian work, including his support for Tibet and the Dalai Lama. He spoke at the Syracuse Salvation Army’s ‘Civic Celebration’ in 2016 to honor two doctors donating their time to provide free medical care to children. The actor was chosen following his engagement in the defence of human rights, and, most notably, his visit to Lampedusa.

The ceremony will take place in the presence of the City Council and will open with the institutional greetings of the President of the City Council Luca Milani. This will be followed by a dialogue between Richard Gere and the Mayor of Florence, Dario Nardella, and moderated by the journalist Eva Giovannini on the 14 October, 2019.

For more information on the event, see here.