RifugiAmo Vegan Festival
Two days of anti-speciesist culture, animal sanctuaries, and plant-based cuisine in Calenzano
About RifugiAmo Vegan Festival
A vegan festival dedicated to animal resistance
The RifugiAmo Vegan Festival is an event dedicated to veganism and anti-speciesist culture held in Calenzano, in the metropolitan city of Florence, Tuscany. The event was born from the union of two Tuscan organizations that have been committed to animal welfare for years: Ohana Animal Rescue Family (Empoli) and Rifugio Chico Mendes ODV (Campi Bisenzio). These two sanctuaries, which provide a home to individuals rescued from exploitation, joined forces to bring a major festival focused on respect for animals and the planet to the Florence area.
Where it takes place
The festival is held at the ST.ART Spazio Eventi, located at Via Giuseppe Garibaldi 7 in Calenzano. For the occasion, this venue transforms into a meeting point for those who believe in a fairer, more inclusive, and respectful society for all species. The two-level layout allows for a diverse program, ranging from conferences to the gastronomic area.
Conferences, books, and guests
The heart of the festival is its packed program of conferences and cultural meetings, featuring speakers and activists from the national and international scene. Among the most anticipated guests is illustrator Roger Olmos, with his talk on anti-speciesist artivism. The program also includes book presentations on poetry and anti-speciesist narratives, talks on vegan entrepreneurship, and debates on themes such as speciesism, gender bodies and identities, and the defense of demonized species like rats and pigeons. There is also space for ethical veterinary medicine and the care of animals saved from slaughterhouses.
Sanctuaries and shelters area
One of the distinctive elements of the event is the presence of numerous anti-speciesist shelters and sanctuaries from various Italian regions, featuring dedicated stands and a closing panel that gives a direct voice to the sanctuaries. It is a unique opportunity to learn firsthand about the daily work of those who welcome and care for animals liberated from exploitation.
Plant-based cuisine and market
The gastronomic area "Dalle Stalle alle Stelle" (From Stables to Stars) offers a 100% plant-based culinary experience crafted by a team of Tuscan chefs, with a menu ranging from savory to sweet, including gluten-free options. The ground floor hosts the market area featuring vegan and artisanal products, ethical fashion brands, footwear, plant-based foods, pastry shops, and a wine cellar, as well as a charity tattoo session with proceeds donated to the sanctuaries.
Music and live moments
The program also includes musical moments, with a live closing concert on the first day featuring vocals, loop stations, piano, and synthesizers. A festival designed to combine information, awareness, and conviviality in an atmosphere of celebration and shared commitment.
RifugiAmo Vegan Festival — edition 2026
2026 Edition
The first edition of the RifugiAmo Vegan Festival took place on February 28 and March 1, 2026, in Calenzano (Florence). The program alternated between conferences and talks: from the meeting on mushrooms in the kitchen with mycologist Corrado Girardi to the "No Food No Science" campaign, from the "Intersexioni" debate on bodies and gender identities to the talk on vegan entrepreneurship with Vegeatal, +mino, Bella Storia, In Vino Vegan, Birra Love, and Amorum.
Among the most followed moments were the speech by illustrator Roger Olmos on anti-speciesist artivism, book presentations by Teodora Mastrototaro, Monia Monti, and the Ohana association, as well as the closing panel "Word to the Sanctuaries" with representatives from the shelters. The first day concluded with a live concert by Beta Libre and Rick Landi. There was also the "Dalle Stalle alle Stelle" food area, the vegan and artisanal market, and charity tattoos in support of the sanctuaries.
Programme RifugiAmo Vegan Festival 2026
Saturday, February 28
- 11:00-11:30 - Ohana and Rifugio Chico Mendes: "Welcome"
- 12:00-12:45 - Corrado Girardi (mycologist): "Mushrooms in the kitchen: their stories and our uses"
- 13:00-13:45 - Chiara and Mash: "No Food No Science"
- 14:00-14:45 - Michela Balocchi and Daria Campriani: "Intersexioni"
- 15:15-16:30 - Talk on vegan entrepreneurship with Vegeatal, +mino, Bella Storia, In Vino Vegan, Birra Love, Amorum
- 17:00-17:30 - Teodora Mastrototaro: "Cows don't explode if you don't milk them (they explode with joy)"
- 18:00-19:00 - Roger Olmos: "Anti-speciesist artivism. Deconstructing an obscure normality"
- 21:00 - Live concert by Beta Libre and Rick Landi
Sunday, March 1
- 11:30-12:15 - Monia Monti: "Rosa and Matilda - Happiness is built together"
- 12:30-13:00 - Francesco Cortonesi and Simone Arniani: "Tyke - Elephants in revolt"
- 13:30-14:30 - Marta Papola and La Compagnia dell'Agnello: "Resistance with a baby bottle in hand"
- 15:00-16:00 - Piccioni Paralimpici, ATTP, Rat Rescue: "Rats and pigeons: guilty without trial"
- 16:15-16:45 - Ohana and Violino Viola: "Destination Ohana - animal liberation fables"
- 16:45-18:00 - Sanctuary panel: "Word to the sanctuaries: Unity makes the revolution"
Highlights RifugiAmo Vegan Festival 2026
- First edition of the festival, born from the union of two Tuscan sanctuaries
- Speech by international illustrator Roger Olmos on anti-speciesist artivism
- Sanctuary area with numerous anti-speciesist shelters from all over Italy
- 100% plant-based "Dalle Stalle alle Stelle" cuisine with Tuscan chefs
- Vegan market, charity tattoos, and live concert
Prices RifugiAmo Vegan Festival 2026
Practical information — RifugiAmo Vegan Festival
How to get there
The ST.ART Spazio Eventi is located at Via Giuseppe Garibaldi 7, in Calenzano (FI), a few kilometers from Florence. By car, it can be reached from the Calenzano-Sesto Fiorentino exit on the A1 motorway. By train, the Calenzano station is connected to the Florence railway line.
Admission
Admission to the festival is free; the organization encourages confirming attendance via the form on the official website.
Contacts
Email: [email protected]. More information at www.rifugiamo.org and on social media channels Instagram and Facebook (@rifugiamo_veganfestival).
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Where does it take place — RifugiAmo Vegan Festival
ST.ART Spazio Eventi
Via Giuseppe Garibaldi 7, 50041 Calenzano