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Florence, April 27th 2025. MIDA, the 89th edition of the International Handicrafts Fair, continues at Fortezza da Basso until May 1st. In its first three days, it is experiencing a boom in visitors’ numbers and enthusiastic public response.
“I thank President Becattini for the invitation and greet all the artisans present at this major event that, since 1931, has celebrated art, creativity and innovation of Made in Italy products,” stated in a written message Adolfo Urso, Minister for Business and Made in Italy. “In Italy, there are nearly 1.3 million artisan businesses, making up one-fifth of the national entrepreneurial fabric. The Italian government strongly supports the artisan sector, implementing policies that promote training, innovation and the digital transformation of enterprises. Italian craftsmanship is a wealth we must safeguard and enhance &#8211; together, we are building a future of excellence and sustainability, where you continue to bring prestige to Italy”.
“It is both a pleasure and an emotional moment for me to inaugurate this important fair,” said Lorenzo Becattini, President of Firenze Fiera, “now in its 89th edition and seeing great success. The longevity and success of this event are the result of collective effort and years of synergy with institutions. I want to thank, first and foremost, our shareholders: the Tuscany Region, the City of Florence, the Metropolitan City, the Chamber of Commerce of Florence and the City of Prato. Also ICE, the CR Florence Foundation with OMA, Artex, Assocamere Estero, CNA, Confartigianato, Sicrea and finally Destination Florence and the international delegations present here — such as those from Oman and the United Arab Emirates — with whom we hope to develop exciting collaborations in the future, including intercultural dialogue among distant nations. As we close this edition,” Becattini concluded, “we’ll immediately begin work on the 90th edition, where we’ll bring our traditions into the future”.
“The International Handicrafts Fair is a remarkable opportunity, a unique showcase to highlight real excellence. This edition is proving to be a great success,” stated Sara Funaro, Mayor of Florence. “Florence is a city of artisans, and we aim to keep enhancing this sector — starting with our many projects to protect and preserve our historic workshops”.
Eugenio Giani, President of the Tuscany Region, remarked: “The presence of so many producers and such a large audience shows how the artisan sector continues to drive our economy. The Handicrafts Fair is truly a symbol of the identity and DNA with which Florence and Tuscany present themselves to the world. It’s a community celebration that goes beyond craftsmanship. I thank Firenze Fiera and its leadership, who have once again given new life to the Fortezza’s exhibition center after the difficult years of the pandemic”.
“I’ve always felt the opening of MIDA as part of my life — ever since I was a child, when I came here to admire the excellence of handcrafted creations, which I see again today, perhaps even more so,” said Massimo Manetti, President of the Florence Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber of Commerce will continue its commitment to make next year’s 90th edition something truly exceptional and unprecedented”.
“MIDA is a unique showcase in our country, once again revealing how thin the line is between craftsmanship and art,” said Luca Tonini, President of CNA Toscana. “We present centuries-old traditions brought to life by men and women whose skilled hands create true masterpieces — symbols of Italy and especially of Tuscany”.
“Today, more than ever, craftsmanship is not just tradition but a strategic lever for navigating global change,” declared Serena Vavolo, President of Confartigianato Imprese Firenze. “Our businesses, small yet incredibly resilient, preserve ancient knowledge while simultaneously innovating, contributing to the Made in Italy brand as a singular cultural and economic model. MIDA is its most authentic expression”.
Tomorrow the Cooking Show Program is starting, curated by Leonardo Romanelli: at 10:30 on the Spadolini Attic Floor, students from the F. Datini Hospitality Institute in Prato will perform alongside Rocco De Santis, 2 Michelin star chef at the Santa Elisabetta restaurant (Florence). Tastings will follow throughout the afternoon.

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at Fortezza da Basso for the 89th MIDA – International Handicrafts Fair, from 25th April until May 1st

Florence, April 22nd, 2025. MIDA, the International Handicraft Fair, was officially presented this morning in the Sala della Scherma at Fortezza da Basso. Scheduled from April 25th to May 1st, the 89th edition of MIDA reaffirms its strategic role as a permanent observatory of a sector that today, more than ever, represents a challenge and an opportunity for business and professional growth for many young talents.
Promoted and organized by Firenze Fiera in collaboration with key institutions and trade associations, MIDA89 is Italy’s first certified fair of artisanal excellence, celebrating the key values of contemporary craftsmanship – quality, ethical beauty, tradition, innovation, sustainability and inclusion – through 530 exhibitors from across Italy and over 30 countries, including China, Egypt, France, Spain, India, Indonesia, Japan, Iran, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Oman, Tunisia, Vietnam, Madagascar, Peru, Senegal, thanks also to partnerships with the leading Italian Chambers of Commerce abroad.
A fair with growing appeal and a strong international vocation, MIDA welcomes thousands of visitors each year (65,000 in 2024), including enthusiasts, lovers of beauty, professionals, designers, young makers, journalists, influencers and bloggers. It offers a multisensory journey around the world, with direct contact with diverse and distant cultures, styles, and traditions – from artistic and traditional crafts to sustainable contemporary design. On display: unique pieces, new objects of desire spanning fashion and accessories, artistic craftsmanship, international crafts, wellness products, furniture and design creations, objects, fine and costume jewelry, as well as Italian and international food and wine excellence.
Among the 35,000 square meters of exhibition space, once again the Spadolini Pavilion will play the key role of Italian and international craftsmanship, hosting many Italian and foreign artisans. On the ground floor, Italian workshops will present generational business stories still working clay and ceramics, wood, yarns and fabrics, stones, gold and silver in traditional ways, as well as stories of young talents, leader of innovation and sustainability, and iconic examples of artistic craftsmanship. On the lower floor, international master artisans will showcase the identity of their countries through original carvings, embroidery, jewelry, carpets and a wide variety of home decor and accessories.
On the attic floor, the Taste will be richer than ever, with flavors and scents from far and wide, cooking shows and many tasting events. Meanwhile, in the central square, the Corte dei Sapori will feature Italian and multicultural street food and pop-up restaurants.
After the success of past editions, ARTEFACENDO, curated by CNA Firenze, returns to the Ghiaie Pavilion. Over 70 artistic and traditional craft businesses – from fashion to woodwork, alabaster to goldsmithing – showcase the full richness of Made in Italy. Daily live demonstrations and manufacturing will immerse visitors in production processes and showcase the talent of master artisans. Visitors can vote for their favorite artisan to help assign the Excellence in Exhibition 2025 award.
Also curated by CNA Firenze, FRAGMENTA, PRECIOUS DETAILS unfolds along the Arco Corridor as a space for visual and material reflection on the value of detail and the uniqueness of handcrafted jewelry. On display: pieces from six goldsmiths, narrative microcosms where tradition and contemporary styles merge. In the same area, IN CONVERSATION. MASTER ARTISANS AND YOUNG TALENTS IN EXHIBITION, a project promoted by CNA Firenze and LAO, highlights 21 unique jewels created in collaboration between seven students of LAO (Le Arti Orafe School) and seven master Florentine goldsmiths. This creative dialogue between different generations blends contemporary research and design with traditional Florentine goldsmithing techniques.
UNIQUE PIECES is the title of the collective exhibition by Confartigianato Firenze at the Palazzina Lorenese, celebrating craftsmanship as an unrepeatable art form and narrating the excellence of contemporary craftmanship. From glass art to wooden spinning tops, custom frames to artistically forged fireplaces, hand-bound notebooks to household linens, textile creations to crystal work and handcrafted furniture.
MIDA89 will also be a moment for reflection on the concept of ‘containment’ through objects of design and high craftsmanship, on the essence of craftsmanship and the culture of contemporary jewelry: three original themes at the core of dedicated exhibitions.
CON.TE.NE.RE – From the Object to the Body. Scale Variations in Craftsmanship and Design is the exhibition promoted by CR Firenze Foundation, realized by OMA (Observatory of Arts and Crafts), and curated by ADI (Association for Industrial Design), Tuscany Delegation, held in the Sala della Volta. It focuses on the theme of containment, exploring its functional and symbolic value in Italian craftsmanship and design – from enclosing objects and fluids to its metaphorical meanings of welcoming and guarding. It shines light on the relationship between container and content, space and identity, individual and community, through products that tell stories, preserve, transform, welcome and protect – containers of memory, meaning and future.
At the Cavaniglia Pavilion, GALLERY OF CRAFTSMANSHIP – ESSENCE OF CRAFT will be staged, curated by ARTEX – Centre for Artistic and Traditional Craftsmanship of Tuscany. A theatrical set-up will showcase works by about 30 Tuscan artisans using various materials and techniques – from silver to ceramics, fabrics to scagliola, wood to glass. A live lab will also be featured with video tools and demonstrations to illuminate the essence of craftsmanship.
At Cavaniglia visitors can also admire works by four jewelry designers and two perfume startups from the United Arab Emirates who will participate in workshops in Florentine ateliers. The initiative stems from a 20-year collaboration between Artex and the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce, fostering cultural exchange between Tuscany and the Middle East, two geographically distant realities and traditions, yet close in their desire to explore new artistic contaminations.
Plenty of “precious” initiatives from LAO – Le Arti Orafe, Italy’s leading educational institution for contemporary jewelry. At La Polveriera, works by the three Preziosa Young winners will be on display – an offshoot of Preziosa/Florence Jewellery Week, an event conceived and organized by LAO to support new generations by capturing the emerging needs of experimental jewelry. In the educational area, a wide range of practical demonstrations are scheduled with master goldsmiths and students covering gem setting, engraving, glazing, wax modeling, CAD, and jewelry design. For the first time, visitors can take part in a free experience and try crafting a jewel guided by a master artisan.
This year, the FLORENCE CITY OF RESTORATION project by Florence Chamber of Commerce returns to MIDA (Sala dell’Arco), developed in its operational phases by PromoFirenze, with the contribution of the working group consisting of representatives from CNA Firenze, Confartigianato Firenze, Confindustria Toscana Centro and Costa, LegaCoop Toscana and ANCE Firenze. During the fair, a rich program of informative and training sessions on restoration, conservation and enhancement of cultural assets, as well as artistic and architectural heritage, will take place.
FIRENZE FORMA CONTINUA is the initiative set up at Sala Ottagonale, where visitors can deepen their knowledge of the urban history of Florence and the surrounding area, from the first Etruscan settlements to the present-day metropolitan city. Through a schedule of videos and digital insights, the public can follow the story of the city&#8217;s evolution and explore various themes, feeling connected to the urban fabric that finds meaning in the community that inhabits it. The project is curated by the Florence World Heritage Office and Relations with UNESCO, City of Florence, MUS.E Foundation, HeRe_Lab Department, Department of Architecture, University of Florence.
Among the many attractions of MIDA89, don’t miss the rich program of EXPERIENTIAL WORKSHOPS, organized by Artex, CNA Firenze, Confartigianato Firenze, LAO, MUS.E Foundation, in collaboration with Firenze Fiera: live workshops with master artisans, guided tours of the most captivating and secret areas of the Medici Fortress and cooking shows, all available for free with reservation (info and program: https://mostrartigianato.it/programma-officine-esperienziali/).
For the third consecutive year, alongside MIDA, ABITA – the exhibition dedicated to home decor, curated by SICREA, will take place in the Arsenale, Basilica, and Fureria pavilions. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore a comprehensive overview of today’s offerings in the home sector, with proposals and solutions for home furnishings, design and related services. In addition to the exhibition area, a rich program of initiatives will be available, from exhibitions to the Events Lounge, which will host authors, creative workshops and meetings.
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DECLARATIONS:
“We are about to open the 89th edition, confident that MIDA can represent not only an important event supporting the craft sector with the support of public institutions, associations and businesses, but also a hub for culture and knowledge where business can be done, networking opportunities created and professional growth and business culture fostered,” said Lorenzo Becattini, president of Firenze Fiera. “It will be a special edition for many enthusiasts and visitors who will experience unique immersive experiences for the first time, participating in the ‘Experiential Workshops’ under the guidance of master artisans and taking ‘Guided Tours’ of the underground and most exclusive and secret areas of the Medici Fortress. Seven live days, during which, thanks to the national synergies activated, we expect a large turnout from all over Italy, as we prepare to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Italy’s most beautiful and long-standing artisan fair in 2026”.     
“We are at the 89th edition, an important event that has become part of our city’s history, after many years of success,” said Mayor of Florence Sara Funaro. “A fair that continues to grow, attracting Florentines and visitors. Moreover, we are currently implementing several actions to protect the craft sector in our area. We know how complex and urgent it is to work with this objective, as it is a fundamental part of the history and identity of our city. Fairs like this help keep the spotlight on this scene and enhance a strategic sector for Florence and our country”.
“The International Handicrafts Fair is an event for all citizens, an important part of our identity that has become part of our DNA,” said Eugenio Giani, President of the Tuscany Regional Government. “The exhibition has been greatly enhanced and renewed in recent years, to the point that through MIDA Firenze Fiera plays a significant role in transforming the Fortezza da Basso into an internationally recognized exhibition center, as demonstrated by the stands of foreign countries and the global reach of the fair that opens on April 25th at Fortezza da Basso, where works on the new Bellavista pavilion are ongoing”.
“At MIDA 89, over twenty of the main public entities will sign the protocol for the development of the &#8216;FLORENCE CITY OF RESTORATION&#8216; project, promoted by the trade associations and immediately supported by the Florence Chamber of Commerce, PromoFirenze, and Unioncamere Toscana,” added Massimo Manetti, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Florence. “It now enjoys the support of the Region, the City of Florence, the CRFirenze Foundation, the Uffizi, the Academy, the Opificio delle Pietre Dure, the Superintendency, Universities, and Firenze Fiera. The goal of this protocol is to implement a plan of actions aimed at promoting and revitalizing the entire restoration sector, which a University of Florence study indicates involves over 1,500 restoration businesses in the Metropolitan City of Florence, including those certified or meeting the corresponding Ateco code, with more than 7,000 employees”.
“The CR Firenze Foundation is promoting once again this year, within MIDA, an exhibition that values the artisan knowledge, curated by OMA – Association of Arts and Crafts and ADI, which I thank,” said Maria Oliva Scaramuzzi, Vice President of CR Firenze Foundation. “The chosen theme is ‘containing,’ which also means safeguarding, protecting and welcoming, narrated through excellence craftsmanship and scenography productions. The Foundation believes in and invests in craftsmanship as one of Florence’s vocations, a heritage to preserve while innovating, looking toward future generations.”
“Today, more than ever, craftsmanship is not just tradition but a strategic lever for facing global changes,” said Serena Vavolo, President of Confartigianato Imprese Firenze. “Our small yet extraordinarily resilient businesses preserve ancient knowledge while innovating, contributing to making Made in Italy a unique cultural and economic model. MIDA is the most authentic representation of this.”
“The International Handicrafts Fair is a valuable opportunity to highlight the work of artisans, not just from an economic perspective, but also from a cultural one, because it allows us to convey to the public the value behind each product: knowledge, manual skills and the quality of materials. It is through this direct dialogue, not just through the commercial dimension, that the bond between craftsmanship and the territory is renewed, passing on the culture of &#8216;making&#8217; to the new generations. As CNA Firenze Metropolitana, we participate with confidence, showcasing over 100 selected artisan businesses, offering them a concrete opportunity for visibility, access to the market and recognition in a context that values quality and the ability of craftsmanship to evolve without losing its roots,” said Giacomo Cioni, President of CNA Firenze.
 
INFO:
Opening hours: every day from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Outdoor dining: every day from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (last day from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM))
Free entry to outdoor dining: every day from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM (on May 1st closes at 8:00 PM)
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MIDA 89: the 89th edition of the International Handicraft Fair returns at Fortezza da Basso from April 25th to May 1st

Florence, 31st January 2025. Registration is open for training events at Didacta Italia 2025, to be held as usual in Florence, at the Fortezza da Basso, from 12th to 14th March 2025. The 11th edition of this event – the most important fair on educational training and innovation – will be dedicated to the 100th anniversary of INDIRE, one of the most ancient research institutes of the Italian Ministry of Education, committed to promoting innovation processes within the school world. This institution studies and develops new educational models, experimenting the use of new technologies within training paths, and redefining the relationship between learning and teaching spaces and times. It is also the Italian Agency of the Erasmus+ programme in the School, University, and Adult Education areas.
Created by INDIRE and co-ordinated by Prof. Giovanni Biondi, the scientific programme presents a wide choice of activities ranging from 0-6 education to post-graduate courses, for a total of 470 training events, including 200 workshops and 270 seminars aimed at teachers, school managers, and school staff. Participants will be able to choose to attend various training events concerning innovative teaching methods, artificial intelligence, flipped classrooms, learning units, digital alphabetisation and cybersecurity, soft skills and personal development, sustainability, internationalization, and multilingual skills. And last but not least, there will also be workshops concerning educational robotics, STEM &amp; STEAM, technological transition, inclusion, and social needs.
During the three days of the Fair, 18 classrooms will be set up and divided according to themes, including: debates, hotel sector, innovation towards future, innovation for nursery, kindergarten, and primary school, languages and methods, learning by doing &#8211; learning with laboratories, theatre, music, and dance.
As for the past editions, Didacta Italia will see the participation of the Italian Ministry of Education and Merit, offering a rich choice of proposals within the scientific programme, along with a wide Arena hosting other training events, in which teachers and school managers will be able to receive information on projects and events from the Ministry.
Following the success of the first edition (2024), the section of Didacta University and Higher Education will be featured again. An area entirely devoted to Italian universities where there will be a lively and stimulating debate between professors and young researchers on good practices and teaching innovation at university. Taking place at the Arsenale Pavilion, it will see the participation of the Italian Ministry of University and Research and of the Conference of Rectors of Italian Universities. The full programme of events which you can register for will be available shortly on the Fair website.
Furthermore, it will be possible to visit a rich exhibiting section thanks to the presence of the most important companies of the school sector at international level in various fields – stationery, publishing, school architecture, museum education, food education, green and environmental education, physical education and sports, language training and educational games, music, arts, and theatre, up to the most advanced information technology.
To participate in training events, please browse the scientific programme (<a href="https://fieradidacta.indire.it/en/programme/">https://fieradidacta.indire.it/en/programme/</a>) and select those you are interested in, completing the procedure by buying the ticket directly on the portal, using also the Teacher’s Card.
Tickets cost 16, 25 and 30 euros, according to the number of days (from 1 to 3). You can book a maximum of two training events per day, choosing from: 2 seminars and 2 workshops, 1 seminar and 1 workshop, in addition to unlimited participation in the scheduled events organised by companies and institutions.
Didacta Italia is organised by Firenze Fiera with the scientific partnership of INDIRE, and in co-operation with Didacta International. The Fair offers a top-class programme, relying on an Organising Committee formed by: the Italian Ministry of Education and Merit, the Italian Ministry of University and Research, the Conference of Rectors of Italian Universities (CRUI), the Region of Tuscany, the Florence Municipality, Unioncamere, the Florence Chamber of Commerce, ITKAM, and Destination Florence Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau. 
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Registration is open for training events at Didacta Italia 2025

Florence, 8th November 2024. The new main entrance of Firenze Fiera, giving access to the Florence congress and exhibition centre in Piazza Adua, was inaugurated this morning.
This event saw the participation of Lorenzo Becattini, President of Firenze Fiera, joined by Sara Funaro, Mayor of Florence, Eugenio Giani, President of the Region of Tuscany, and Massimo Manetti, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Florence. The ceremony also saw the presence of numerous other personalities from the economic world and the local congress and exhibition sector.
Thanks to team work between the Municipality of Florence, the Region of Tuscany, the Superintendence for Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscapes of Florence, and Firenze Fiera, the construction project led to install a new large porch clad in steel in front of the access doors of Palazzo degli Affari, perfectly complementing the 20th-century architectural lines of the palace designed by architect Pierluigi Spadolini. The building was entirely renovated and reopened on 11th July 2022, and it is the spearhead of the Florence congress offer for associative and corporate events.
Used to protect accesses to the palace from the weather and as a resting place for visitors and congress attendees accessing the congress and exhibition centre, this new structure adds prestige and decor to the entrance of one of the most important congress and exhibition centres in Italy, redeveloping an area that was previously penalized by improper use during the day and the night, considering also its proximity to the Santa Maria Novella railway station. The structure was complemented by a sliding door for vehicular and pedestrian access, while a large pane of glass overlooking the garden was added towards via Valfonda. The latter can be used to further support promotional and communication spaces dedicated to events.
Designed and built by Architects Elio di Franco and Giuseppe Cacozza from Politecnica, the new Piazza Adua access is just the latest in a succession of projects carried out by Firenze Fiera in these last months, including the architectural concrete walkway to facilitate access to the three venues overlooking the garden (Palazzo degli Affari, Limonaia, and Palazzo dei Congressi), and to the new sanitary facilities in the Passi Perduti area, at Villa Vittoria.
“The new entrance in Piazza Adua combines prestige, decor, and safety within our congress and exhibition centre – said Lorenzo Becattini, President of Firenze Fiera – and it is only the latest step, in chronological order, in a long series of construction projects and investment carried out by the company in these last months and amounting to 650,000 Euros, to which we must add 1,150,000 Euros invested into renovations at the Fortezza in 2024, for a total amount of nearly 2 million Euros”. “I take this opportunity to thank our partners – Becattini concluded – as Firenze Fiera is about to close 2024 with a budget higher than in 2023 in terms of production value and final results. Thanks to this deep and close collaboration, we will continue to co-operate and discuss the company’s extraordinary items that need attention and constant support by its owners”.
“This new entrance &#8211; stated Sara Funaro, Mayor of Florence -is crucial to redevelop the main congress and exhibition centre of our city. This work was carried on by the Board of Directors, the President and all the whole technical department, and falls within all the redevelopment projects that we are carrying out inside the Fortezza. There is an agreement on schedule worth 68 million Euros, with important work already in progress. These projects will allow to enlarge spaces and to make this place increasingly central as an attractive congress and exhibition centre for important events&#8221;.
“I have always believed in Firenze Fiera – said Giani, President of the Region of Tuscany during his speech – as well as in the calling of Florence as a congress and exhibition destination. That is why, today I am delighted to participate in the opening of the new entrance in Piazza Adua. This project makes the congress and exhibition area even more beautiful, safer, and functional”. “In these last years, Firenze Fiera has essentially doubled its profits. After the Covid experience, during which some people even feared an inexorable decline, today we see a company closing its budget with a profit and making Florence the ideal showcase for any type of congresses and exhibitions. Some time ago, the Fortezza was only used to host Pitti and the Crafts Fair, while today we see an intense growth of new events, so much that the Region has prepared a recapitalization of 6 million Euros”.
“Battling decay and securing the safety of this “hotspot area” of the city is probably the best business card for the entrance to Firenze Fiera’s venues, and I think it is an important sign of what has been done and of how much the city cares for its congress and exhibition centre”, added Massimo Manetti, President of the Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Firenze Fiera Officially Opens Its New Entrance in Piazza Adua

Florence, 12th February 2023. Today, the 6th edition of Firenze Home Texstyle and the 17th edition of Immagine Italia &amp; Co. came to a close at the Fortezza da Basso. Taking place on the lower floor of the Spadolini Pavilion, the two events performed extremely well, seeing the presence of qualified buyers coming from the main international markets of these two manufacturing sectors.
The three days of the fairs were attended by a total of 7,324 operators (up by 13% compared with the 2023 edition), coming from 41 countries among which &#8211; next to Italy &#8211; Germany, Belgium, Spain, Russia, and Greece.
“Firenze Home Texstyle and Immagine Italia took place simultaneously, confirming the winning formula of a combination between two related and complementary sectors such as home textiles and lingerie &amp; underwear. This will represent an unconditional asset to program the future editions inside our congress and exhibition centre”, said Lorenzo Becattini, President of Firenze Fiera.
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