Florence, 6 March 2026. From 11 to 13 March 2026, Didacta Italia returns to the Fortezza da Basso in Florence, the most important national trade fair dedicated to innovation in the world of education. Now in its 13th edition, the event offers teachers, school leaders and education professionals a comprehensive, high-quality training experience. Thanks to the presence of major institutions and companies, Didacta Italia will transform Florence and the Fortezza into a laboratory of ideas and projects for the education of the future, encouraging dialogue on education among institutional bodies, associations, entrepreneurs, teachers, school principals and the academic community.

This morning the press conference for DIDACTA ITALIA 2026 was held at the Palazzo degli Affari, attended by the President of Firenze Fiera, Lorenzo Becattini; the Hon. Paola Frassinetti, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Education and Merit; Eugenio Giani, President of the Tuscany Region; the President of the Florence Chamber of Commerce, Massimo Manetti; the Councillor for Education and Vocational Training of the Municipality of Florence, Benedetta Albanese; and Luciano Tagliaferri, Director General of the Regional School Office for Tuscany. Connected via video were Laura Ramaciotti, President of CRUI, and Letizia Cinganotto, Member of the Board of INDIRE.

The 2026 edition is dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the birth of Carlo Collodi (pseudonym of Carlo Lorenzini, born in Florence on 24 November 1826), one of the most representative figures in Italian pedagogical and literary culture and the author of The Adventures of Pinocchio, one of the most widely read and translated children’s books in the world. Through this work, Collodi was able to convey the importance of education as transformation, the path of personal growth, and the value of responsibility and moral and civic awareness.

For the occasion, INDIRE will curate an exhibition in the “Grotte” Area entitled Carlo Collodi: between pen, politics and “lies” that tell the truth. Pinocchio and the other characters as a mirror of a man of his time. The exhibition will offer a critical journey aimed at revealing the complexity of Carlo Lorenzini—patriot, journalist and writer—and not only the author of Pinocchio. Through texts and images, the exhibition will highlight the connection between his political experience and his literary production: from his involvement in the Risorgimento movement to his disillusionment with post-unification Italy, leading to the creation of characters that have become universal symbols.

The opening ceremony will take place on Wednesday 11 March at 11:00 a.m. in the Sala della Ronda and will feature a concert by the Orchestra of the Italian Music High Schools, a project of the Ministry of Education and Merit in collaboration with the Uto Ughi Foundation. The orchestra, composed of 91 young students from music high schools across Italy, will perform in the presence of the Minister of Education and Merit, Giuseppe Valditara.

There will be 3,081 events in total (including those in the scientific programme and those organised by exhibitors), aimed at teachers, school leaders and education professionals at all levels, and for the first time also open to administrative staff and local administrators.

The scientific programme, curated by INDIRE and coordinated by Prof. Giovanni Biondi, is even richer and more structured this year, with 501 training events: 316 seminars and 185 workshops. Teachers will be able to register starting Monday 9 March, also using the Teacher’s Card.

The training programmes, ranging from early childhood education (0–6) to post-secondary courses, address numerous topics, including innovative teaching methodologies, environmental education—with particular reference to GreenComp in secondary schools—food education through the promotion of Italian cuisine as an intangible heritage of humanity, the arts, and innovation in the Italian and European education systems.

Special attention will be devoted to Artificial Intelligence in the classroom, with two thematic rooms where participants will be able to experiment with design “from prompt to prototype” through hands-on activities. Other topics include multilingualism, the use of AI in teaching and learning foreign languages, and the customisation of AI-based educational tutors, combining research and experimentation.

There will also be immersive classrooms dedicated to blockchain, including a new version of the board game, educational robotics, and the technological transition. In addition, numerous seminars will be held on topics such as STEM and STEAM, the organisation of the 4+2 training pathway, cybersecurity in ITS Academies, adult education, and sport as an educational value in schools.

Among the new features of the 2026 edition is an area entirely dedicated to innovation in Europe, featuring presentations of ‘model’ European schools that have demonstrated the ability to significantly transform educational models.

Once again this year, the Ministry of Education and Merit will be present at Didacta with a rich programme of activities including more than 100 events, as well as a large exhibition area in the Spadolini Pavilion (Attic level), organised into a Training Arena, information spaces and an Educational Innovation Table, curated by the Territorial Training Teams of the Ministry. Within the scientific programme there will also be specific sessions dedicated to the new Maturità (final secondary school exam) and the presentation of the new National Guidelines for early childhood and the first cycle of education.

Events and seminars will also focus on strengthening technical and vocational education pathways, in line with recent legislative initiatives and policies aimed at revitalising national production chains.

For the third consecutive year, the Ministry of University and Research and the Conference of Italian University Rectors (CRUI) will be present at the fair in the Basilica Pavilion with an extensive programme featuring university professors and researchers, as well as representatives from institutions of Higher Education in Art, Music and Dance (AFAM). This year, for the first time, AFAM will have a large dedicated session.

Didacta Italia will once again benefit from the participation of the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry for Sport and Youth (Spadolini Pavilion, Attic level), and for the first time from the presence of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security and the Ministry of Health, both presenting special educational initiatives and projects in the Nations Pavilion.

The Teatrino Lorenese will host workshops and seminars dedicated to the arts, including music, dance and theatre, offering comprehensive training opportunities starting from early childhood education.

Among the key protagonists of Didacta Italia 2026 is the Tuscany Region, which will once again be present with a large exhibition space in the Ghiaie Pavilion and a rich programme of conferences, seminars and workshops addressing a wide range of educational, training and social topics: from early childhood education to post-diploma pathways, from career guidance to employment integration, from peace education to memory and solidarity, as well as inclusion and active citizenship.

The Municipality of Florence, also located in the Le Ghiaie Pavilion, will play a leading role with its own stand, where it will provide information on services, organise workshops and laboratories in collaboration with the MUS.E Foundation, and host seminars.

At Didacta, the Florence Chamber of Commerce, together with Unioncamere, will present guidance services and support for business creation offered by the chamber system and will organise numerous training initiatives.

For the first time, the Regional School Office for Tuscany will also take part in Didacta Italia with a dedicated space made available by the CR Florence Foundation. The main objective will not only be to present projects but also to showcase the initiatives the office develops to support the school community, encouraging constructive dialogue among all stakeholders.

There will be more than 700 exhibitors in total (a 35% increase compared to the 2025 edition) representing the most important companies in the international education supply chain, distributed across 10 pavilions covering an area of 45,000 square metres: from stationery and publishing to school architecture and furniture, from museum education to food education, from environmental and green education to physical education and school sports, from language training to educational games, music, art and theatre, up to the most advanced digital technologies.

To participate in the training events, it is necessary to consult the scientific programme (https://fieradidacta.indire.it/it/programma-didacta-italia-2026/) and select the events of interest, completing the procedure by purchasing the ticket directly through the portal.

Ticket prices are 16, 25 or 30 euros, depending on the number of days (from one to three). It is possible to book a maximum of two training events per day, which may be: 2 seminars and 2 workshops, or 1 seminar and 1 workshop, in addition to unlimited participation in the events organised by institutions and companies.

Didacta Italia is organised by Firenze Fiera with the scientific partnership of INDIRE. Partner: Didacta International. The fair offers a high-level programme thanks to an Organising Committee composed of: the Ministry of Education and Merit, the Ministry of University and Research, the Conference of Italian University Rectors, the Tuscany Region, the Regional School Office for Tuscany, the Municipality of Florence, Unioncamere, the Florence Chamber of Commerce, ITKAM, and the Destination Florence Foundation.

Opening hours: 9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (last day: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

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