Florence, 27th March 2023. Everything is ready for MIDA, the 87th International Crafts Fair, organised by Firenze Fiera in co-operation with the main institutions and trade associations, and taking place at the Fortezza da Basso from 25th April to 1st May 2023.
This exhibition has always been an unmissable event for all those who love ‘savoir-faire’ &#8211; an exciting journey to the roots of creativity, with an endless variety of creations and products giving a nod to technological innovation and sustainability, and presented inside the Fortezza by many exhibitors coming from all over Italy and from various countries of the world, who have always been the main attraction for the Fair visitors.
Edition no.87 will be held in conjunction with ABITA, an event fully dedicated to the world of living, offering innovative solutions in the sector of furnishing, sustainable building, design, and greenery. ABITA is organised by Sicrea in co-operation with Confartigianato Firenze, Confesercenti Firenze &amp; CNA Firenze.
It is a great opportunity for visitors, who will be able to visit both the Fairs with the same admission ticket, meeting exhibitors, technicians, and experts of these sectors for an increasingly exhaustive and complete offer – an unmissable event for all those who wish to spend a whole day inside a historical Fortress, amidst a wide range of proposals between ancient know-how and Crafts 4.0.
Many artisan businesses, designers, planners, and young makers will participate in the Fair, reaffirming the attractiveness of MIDA to launch the crafts of future. The real protagonists of this event, they will return to the scene at the Fortezza, presenting not only their secret workshop tricks and alchemies, but also unique and hyper-technological pieces. Their creations will be showcased to an audience of enthusiasts and qualified operators (in 2022, visitors were more than 56,500) on an exhibiting surface of over 25,000 square metres. The keywords? Creativity, beauty, and innovation, for an increasingly green and sustainable future of handmade products – always attractive and in step with the times.
The events programme will be particularly rich, offering exhibitions, conventions, workshops, educational workshops, and live demonstrations, along with the active participation of the global artisan community.
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UP TO THE CRAFT – Percorsi Generativi (Creative Paths) will be organised inside the Sala della Volta – an exhibition promoted by Fondazione CR Firenze and curated by its operating entity OMA – Associazione Osservatorio dei Mestieri d’Arte, along with the Department of Architecture of the University of Florence. This selection includes creative paths by artisans, artists, designers, and entrepreneurs, along with highly inclusive and social projects, as well as prototypes by university students, practicing to mix crafts and design according to the principles of reuse and recycling. This exchange of contents allows artisans to innovate their models and to discover new material recycling trends, made according to material tinkering tools and methods, and promoting circular supply chains. Alongside more traditional artifacts, the exhibition will also show experimentations made by students from the bachelor’s degree programme in ‘Product, Interior, Communication and Eco-Social Design’ of the Architecture Department of the University of Florence &#8211; included in the seminar MaterialsXdesign &#8211; standing as an innovative proposal between crafts and design, and with a special focus on DIY materials. These experimentations fit within the idea of sustainability, and put materials at the heart of projects. Inside the Palazzina Lorenese, from 25th April and throughout the duration of MIDA 2023, a rich programme of free practical-interactive workshops will be available upon reservation for children aged between 6 and 11 (to subscribe go to: <a href="https://www.osservatoriomestieridarte.it/apprendisti-di-bottega/">https://www.osservatoriomestieridarte.it/apprendisti-di-bottega/</a>)
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&#8220;W o &#8211; M e n  a t  w o r k &#8211; Artisti e Artigiani di Toscana&#8221; (Artists and Artisans from Tuscany) is a photographic exhibition created by Stefano Lupi,  a professional in the field of audio-visual communication. Inside the Sala dell’Arco, he created this event as a tribute to the whole Tuscany. It is a prestigious event talking about the passion, the art, the genius, the history, and the creativity of a whole territory, along with the industriousness of its people, the story that made it great and unique through the centuries, with the sole purpose of unveiling the work of often unknown men and women, who nonetheless are the driving force and the excellence of a region and of a country. The protagonists will be experienced artists and artisans who, through their faces and speaking inside their own workshops and ateliers, will tell a hundred life stories that deserve to be brought to light in order not to be lost.
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Confirming once again the close union between arts, crafts, and collecting, and building on the success of the exhibition Officina Bardini, that took place from 30th September to 20th November 2022 at the Bardini Museum &#8211; Officina Bardini in Fortezza will be set up inside the Sala Ottagonale, organized by the Florence Municipality with MUS.E, by the Regional Museums Office of Tuscany and by the University of Florence.  The exhibition can be visited with a guided tour every 30 minutes – all those who will book a visit, will receive a reduced online ticket for MIDA at €6 (reservation required: info@musefirenze.it &#8211; Ph.: +39 055 2768224).
The purpose is to illustrate through its various stages the working methodology and the complex artisanal and also entrepreneurial system implemented by the Bardinis through an inspiring dialogue between some works belonging to the homonymous Museum and a significant group of documents, photographs, artifacts, and work tools &#8211; colours, chisels, gouges, etc. – preserved inside the nearby Palace Mozzi Bardini.
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After the success of the past edition, the School Le Arti Orafe (LAO) will set up the exhibition ‘Formazione e oreficeria contemporanea- Gioielli e moda’ (Contemporary Training &amp; Goldsmithing – Jewellery and Fashion) inside the Polveriera. An area entirely dedicated to goldsmith training presenting some works made by LAO students and teachers, offering wide spaces for live demonstrations. The results of a project in collaboration with Accademia Italiana will also be presented, showing clothing created by AI students and jewellery specifically made by LAO students.
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Talking about ‘taste’, the attic floor of the Spadolini Pavilion will be set up to host a Show Cooking space curated by Unicoop Firenze on 29th, 30th April and on 1st May, with free tasting and events, and by the Association of Tuscan Chefs on the remaining days of the Fair (25th,26th,27th and 28th April).
 
USEFUL INFO:
Opening Times: 25th &#8211; 29th &#8211; 30th April and 1st May: 10:00/22:00 &#8211; 26th-27th -28th April: 10:00/20:00 
Outdoor dining areas: open every day from 10:00 to 22:00 (with free admission on 26th&#8211; 27th -28th April from 20:00 to 22:00).
Admission ticket:  Full price: € 7.00 
Reduced price: Members of UNICOOP.FI and of CAN &amp; CONFARTIGIANATO (valid on 26th, 27th and 28th April):  € 5.00

Waiting for MIDA – the 87th International Crafts Fair – at the Fortezza da Basso, from 25th April to 1st May 2023

Florence, 15th March 2023 – From 24th to 26th March 2023, Palazzo dei Congressi will see the return of “tourismA, the International Archaeology and Cultural Tourism Fair” with its ninth edition. Organised by “Archeologia Viva” &#8211; a leading magazine in this sector, published by Giunti &#8211; in co-operation with Firenze Fiera, tourismA is the most important and popular event spreading and promoting the historic-archaeological-monumental heritage on a European level.
Three days to meet and spread and discuss all the initiatives concerning the communication of the Ancient World and the enhancement of its testimonies.
The event is aimed at all the cultural and economic realities that are active in the archaeological-artistic-monumental sector – public and private research institutions, parks, museums, promotion bodies, tour operators, professional categories. The numerous conventions will talk about the latest archaeological discoveries, museums and archaeological parks, the enhancement of our cultural heritage, the tourist promotion of territories in terms of archaeological, environmental, and monumental tourism.
Access is free for this three-day event, and thousands of visitors are expected to attend it.

tourismA 2023 – Palazzo dei Congressi, March 24-26, 2023

Florence, 22nd February 2023 – On 3rd and 4th March 2023, the world of the Italian meeting industry will gather inside Palazzo degli Affari for the 14th national convention of Federcongressi&amp;eventi, the association representing the entire chain of activities for the congresses and events sector.
The name of the convention &#8211; “Le trasformazioni che ci cambiano” (Transformations Changing Us) will be the macro theme and the common thread discussed during the various speeches and the plenary and parallel sessions. Open also to non-members, this event will be an occasion for update and training, as well as an opportunity to approach institutions, network, and exchange best practices. But it will also feature cultural and leisure moments, taking place inside three of the most iconic locations in Florence &#8211; Palazzo degli Affari, the Fortezza da Basso and the Theatre of Maggio Musicale Fiorentino &#8211; where a pre-convention evening will be held on 2nd March.
“In 2022, our sector showed great reactivity and the ability to address the changing market needs”, stated Gabriella Gentile, President of Federcongressi&amp;eventi. “Being able to change and manage the challenges presented by our work on a daily basis is an important and distinctive resource for MICE professionals, and it is also what allows us to look to the future with positivity. That is why, for the 2023 convention we decided to address the issue of the most relevant social, cultural, and professional transformations for us, relying on the large participation of all the stakeholders”.

The 14th National Convention of Federcongressi&eventi to Be Held in Florence

Florence, 6th February 2023. The special tasting of Previews of Tuscany 2023 is back by popular demand with its usual appointment ‘Chianti Lovers &amp; Rosso Morellino’. During the event, taking place on Sunday, 12th Februrary 2023 at the Fortezza da Basso, over 120 wine companies will offer more than 400 labels to the audience as a preview.
The whole day will be dedicated to tasting and previews, and two special vintages will be presented &#8211; Chianti 2022 &amp; Chianti Riserva 2020.
Inside the large exhibiting premises of the Fortezza, numerous exhibiting areas will be set up, such as the one entirely devoted to tasting counters, where visitors will have the opportunity to talk with producers, who will guide them to discover the various territorial nuances and their different interpretations.
“Chianti Lovers &amp; Rosso Morellino is now an eagerly awaited and attended event – said Giovanni Busi, President of Consorzio Vino Chianti (Chianti Wine Consortium).- It is a successful way to put consumers &#8211; the real final recipients of all our efforts &#8211; in direct contact with the companies of the denomination. Moreover, like every year, the event will see the participation of journalists and operators in the industry. We are sure that companies will be able to start new and fruitful collaborations with them”.

Raise Your Glasses! “Chianti Lovers” Returns to the Fortezza da Basso on 12th February

Florence, 31st January 2023. The definitive plan for the new Cavaniglia Pavilion was presented to the press this morning inside the Sala della Scherma. The presentation saw the participation of Dario Nardella, Mayor of Florence, Eugenio Giani, President of the Region of Tuscany, Leonardo Bassilichi, President of the Florence Chamber of Commerce, and Lorenzo Becattini, President of Firenze Fiera.
The creation of the new Cavaniglia Pavilion includes a total surface of 3,600 square metres featuring exhibiting areas, green roofing, squares, and pedestrian links overlooking the city. The 20-million Euro definitive plan was given the green light by the Florence Municipal Council.
The development includes the realization of a ground floor entirely dedicated to exhibiting spaces (2,900 square metres) and their related service areas (120 sqm for the entrance hall, 100 sqm for toilets, in addition to technical and storage rooms); a basement to be used for cloakroom service (65 sqm), and a roofing with a green garden (2,550 sqm); pathways and squares (720 sqm). The new building presents a long, glazed façade looking towards the walls. The opposite façade, facing the Spadolini Pavilion, is devoted to energy and acoustic efficiency. Part of the pedestrian links connecting the new pavilion to the Cavaniglia bastion and the Spadolini Pavilion consists of a skywalk allowing to get closer to the walls and enjoy an unusual view from above of the historic city centre.
The implementation of this plan is part of the Recovery Plan for the Fortezza and implies the adaptation of exhibiting spaces for highly qualified events, along with the recovery of the original wall system through the reconstruction and renovation of the bastion and the subsequent restoration of the patrol walkway. By implementing this plan, 25,000 square metres of exhibiting spaces will be added to the existing ones. The estimated total of renovation work provided by the plan amounts to 140 million Euros. The Agreement Programme, signed by the owners &#8211; Region of Tuscany, Metropolitan City of Florence, Municipality of Florence, and Chamber of Commerce &#8211; in March 2019, provided for the allocation of over 68 million Euros.
“We believe that creating an increasingly beautiful Fortezza, offering new exhibiting areas and new and ultra-versatile and technologic pavilions such as the new Cavaniglia – located in the city centre and well connected with the public transport &#8211; can represent an important step towards the acquisition of fresh capital, along with a bridge-building strategy agreed with the shareholders”, commented President Becattini.

Presentation of the Definitive Plan for the New Cavaniglia Pavilion

Florence, 26th January 2023. The most anticipated three-day event for all food lovers and sector experts will start on Saturday, 4th February 2023. Jazz music will be the background soundtrack inside the spectacular Fortezza da Basso, and will give the name to this event – ‘Jazzy Taste’ – the new edition of this ‘Taste Fair’ curated by Pitti Immagine, registering an increasingly international presence of buyers from emerging markets.
For its 16th edition, the Italian Fair dedicated to good eating and good living, and gathering the best Italian and International Haute Cuisine operators, grows and expands within an increasingly structured exhibiting itinerary, in which visitors will be able to take a journey through senses, savouring the most delicious Italian food products offered by the 538 exhibitors participating (100 of which will be there for the first time), discovering the territorial peculiarities and listening to all the family and business stories behind them.
This will be an authentic journey through taste, featuring increasingly creative and aware proposals – sweet and savoury food, soft drinks, spirits, and even cuisine design. But the real protagonist of Taste23 will be pasta, Italians’ favourite food &#8211; a symbol of tradition and conviviality. Pasta rhymes with “home”, but also with Haute Cuisine! Famous pasta makers will offer special experiences to discover this product in all its aspects.
FuoriDitaste is also back with a series of gourmet events and initiatives linked with Taste products. This event will feature an exhaustive programme of tastings, special events, talks and new ways to interpret food, combining all the companies participating in the event and some of the most extraordinary food places in Florence.

The 16th Edition of Pitti Taste at the Fortezza da Basso from 4th to 6th February 2023 – Three Days Dedicated to the Excellence of Taste and Haute Cuisine

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