Lanciano, 21 October 2026. Didacta Italia – Abruzzo Edition has officially opened at the Lancianofiera exhibition centre in Lanciano (Chieti), marking the fifth regional spin-off of Italy’s leading event dedicated to innovation in education. From the very first hours, the event has attracted a large audience and generated considerable enthusiasm among teachers and education professionals, confirming the strong interest in an initiative that brings to Abruzzo an important opportunity for training, discussion and professional development.

The opening ceremony took place in the “Gabriele D’Annunzio” Main Hall, attended by Filippo Paolini, Mayor of Lanciano; Roberto Santangelo, Regional Councillor for Training, Education, Research and Universities, Social Affairs and Culture of the Abruzzo Region; Lorenzo Becattini, President of Firenze Fiera; Francesco Manfredi, President of INDIRE; Massimiliano Nardocci, Director of the Abruzzo Regional School Office; and Hans Joachim Prinz, President of Didacta International and Didacta Verband. Proceedings were moderated by Anna Paola Concia, Coordinator of the Didacta Italia Organising Committee.

The ceremony was accompanied by musical performances by the “Raffaele Mattioli” Upper Secondary School in Vasto and the “Misticoni Bellisario” Artistic, Musical and Dance High School.

The opening institutional address was delivered by Filippo Paolini, Mayor of Lanciano, who highlighted the importance of the initiative for the city and the entire region, emphasising the opportunities offered by hosting an event of national significance.

“Welcoming Didacta Italia is a source of great satisfaction and pride for Lanciano, given the event’s national importance. I would like to sincerely thank Coordinator Anna Paola Concia, the Abruzzo Region and the entire organising committee for choosing our city as the venue for this Abruzzo edition. Hosting an event of this scale gives us the opportunity to play an active role in the debate on issues that are central to the future of education and to strengthen Lanciano’s position as a leading cultural and exhibition hub for the region. Investing in training and educational innovation means looking ahead and building a school system capable of evolving with the times and responding to the needs and language of younger generations. We are convinced that this event will make a tangible contribution to the educational and social development of Abruzzo, with positive effects for the country as a whole.”

The address by Regional Councillor Roberto Santangelo focused on the significance of bringing Didacta Italia to Abruzzo and the Region’s commitment to supporting education, training and innovation across the school system.

“Bringing Didacta Italia to Abruzzo represented a major challenge, one that we have overcome thanks to perseverance, determination and the willingness to believe in an ambitious project that began with a handshake in Florence. When politics gives education the importance it deserves, it makes a tangible investment in tomorrow’s society. The Abruzzo Region allocates significant resources to training, through open and ongoing dialogue with the Regional School Office. We have invested €26 million in the ITS higher technical education system, introduced innovative measures that are unique in Italy, including vouchers to support the internationalisation of our young people, and allocated more than €4 million to vocational education and training (IeFP).

“The figures for Didacta Italia – Abruzzo Edition speak for themselves: thousands of teachers have registered, and more than 85% of the scheduled activities have already been booked. This shows that we are not dealing with a mere showcase exhibition, but with an event rich in content, opportunities for discussion and professional development. These results make us proud and demonstrate the strength of an Abruzzo system capable of building networks and working together.”

The national and international reach of Didacta Italia was also highlighted by Lorenzo Becattini, President of Firenze Fiera, who outlined the event’s growth and emphasised the role of knowledge exchange in improving education systems.

“This is the fifth spin-off we have organised in Italy, as part of a journey in which Didacta Italia continues to grow and become increasingly established. In Florence, at the Fortezza da Basso, the event is twice as large, and next year we will celebrate its tenth edition: an important milestone that demonstrates the continuity and development of this project.

“This interest stems from the awareness that improving schools means helping improve our countries—not just Italy, but Europe as a whole. In this regard, I like to recall the message running through Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables, when Bishop Myriel states: ‘Teach those who do not know as much as possible.’ This is a reminder of the importance of knowledge, a theme we also encounter in literature, which reminds us how essential learning is to the growth of individuals and society. It is precisely this awareness that must guide us as we continue to invest in schools and in the education of future generations.”

Research and support for the transformations taking place in education also play a central role. Francesco Manfredi, President of INDIRE, focused on these issues, highlighting demographic, technological and digital challenges and the need to translate investment into tangible results for schools.

“Our presence at Didacta Italia – Abruzzo Edition stems from the desire to share with the education community the major challenges we are called upon to address: from demographic change to the technological and digital transitions, and the need to manage change and turn it into an opportunity for growth.

“In recent years, major reforms and substantial resources have been mobilised for the Italian school system through initiatives promoted by Minister Valditara and the Ministry of Education. These include more than 14,000 school projects and over €14 billion in investment, accompanied by significant reforms, some of which will be discussed at the events taking place at Didacta over the coming days.

“The challenge now is to ensure that these resources translate into tangible results, enabling teachers to make the best possible use of them to improve the quality of teaching and learning. This is one of the main reasons for INDIRE’s presence at Didacta.

“In 2025, we provided training to 300,000 teachers and involved more than 5,000 educational institutions in our field research activities, working directly with schools and within their educational environments.

“The work we are carrying out, including in this region, which has never shied away from challenges or stopped looking ahead, has a clear objective: to help build a school system that can become a community, connecting people, skills and local areas while guiding younger generations towards the future.”

The turnout in Lanciano is part of an ongoing effort that also directly involves schools across Abruzzo. Massimiliano Nardocci, Director of the Regional School Office, emphasised the importance of the event as an opportunity to consolidate achievements and identify new prospects for growth.

“Didacta Italia – Abruzzo Edition represents a wonderful opportunity, arriving at a particularly significant time for the education sector. Many of the topics being addressed are directly relevant to the Abruzzo school system, and our schools have worked hard over the past few years to achieve tangible results.

“The figures recently highlighted by Minister Valditara, showing that Italy’s school dropout rate has fallen to 8%, confirm the progress made by our country, which ranks among the strongest performers in this area. Abruzzo is also recording positive results.

“In this context, Didacta Italia offers a further opportunity for growth and improvement. We want to seize this opportunity to exchange views, share experiences and identify new strategies that will enable us to do even better.

“It is precisely this commitment to continuous improvement that explains the strong turnout and enthusiasm shown by the many teachers who have registered for the event, recognising its value as an opportunity for training, discussion and innovation for the entire school community.”

The closing address was delivered by Hans Joachim Prinz, President of Didacta International and Didacta Verband, who highlighted the importance of cooperation between countries, cultural exchange and the sharing of experiences in addressing the transformations taking place in education.

“As President of Didacta International and Didacta Verband, I am delighted to see a long-standing partnership evolve and grow stronger over time. This edition is particularly special because, for the first time, Didacta Italia has come to Lanciano, in the heart of Abruzzo. This sends an important message: education must reach every region and offer everyone equal opportunities for growth and access to knowledge. This is precisely the goal we share and are committed to pursuing together.

“The value of Didacta is not confined to a single location; it is strengthened through the exchange of ideas, cultures and experiences between different countries. Comparing different perspectives and approaches to change is essential to developing solutions that can improve the quality of education.

“Change should not be seen solely as an obstacle, but as an opportunity to grow, innovate and improve. All this becomes possible when people and institutions work together, crossing borders and sharing their skills and experience.

“International cooperation, diversity, quality and innovation are the values that guide our work. They are not merely words or slogans, but principles that shape our decisions.”

A full programme of events is also scheduled for the second day of Didacta Italia – Abruzzo Edition, featuring meetings and seminars dedicated to young people, training and new approaches to learning.

The “Gabriele D’Annunzio” Main Hall will be entirely dedicated to the conference for school leaders, with two sessions: at 9:45 a.m., a meeting for school leaders from Abruzzo and Molise, followed at 2:00 p.m. by a session for representatives from Marche and Puglia.

Artificial intelligence will be one of the day’s central themes, with two events exploring both the opportunities and the challenges associated with introducing these technologies into educational processes.

At 10:30 a.m., in the #socialprof area of the Flaiano Pavilion, the session “Beyond the Algorithm: A Guide to the Responsible Use of AI” will take place, featuring Carlo Cuomo, known as “The Edutainment Professor”. The session will focus on an informed and responsible approach to using artificial intelligence.

In the afternoon, at 2:00 p.m., at the INDIRE stand in the Celestino V Pavilion, INDIRE’s PATHS research group and the publishing house La Tecnica della Scuola will present the second national survey on the use of artificial intelligence in teaching.

The study collected complete responses from 2,105 teachers from all school levels across Italy, up from 1,803 in 2025. According to the findings, 69% of teachers—compared with 57.4% in the previous survey—report having used artificial intelligence in their teaching activities.

Alongside the growing adoption of AI, the survey also reveals a significant increase in educational concerns. 44% of teachers, up from 36% in 2025, fear that virtual assistants may distract students and, above all, lead them to unquestioningly trust results that may be unreliable or entirely incorrect.

At 12:00 noon, the INDIRE stand will also host the sixth edition of the #NonCiFermaNessuno Award, created by Luca Abete and held under the patronage of CRUI, the Conference of Italian University Rectors. The initiative celebrates the ability to overcome difficulties and turn them into opportunities for growth.

The event will feature authentic stories from university students who have transformed obstacles, fears and vulnerabilities into strengths through their personal experiences, becoming a source of inspiration for the wider community.

The 2026 edition marks a significant step forward for the initiative. In addition to the eight universities involved in the tour, a further fourteen institutions have joined, bringing the total to 22 academic communities committed to identifying and celebrating stories of resilience and determination.

Also at 12:00 noon, the seminar room in the Silone Pavilion will host “Champions Are Made! Sport as a Model for Developing Non-Cognitive and Transversal Skills in the Classroom”, organised by the “Vanvitelli Stracca Angelini” Higher Education Institute (ISTVAS) in Ancona as part of the scientific programme of Didacta Italia – Abruzzo Edition.

The featured guests will be twins Fabrizio and Valerio Salvatori, known for their appearances on Pechino Express and followed on social media by hundreds of thousands of young people. They will contribute to the event through a video message.

The seminar will explore the educational value of sport as a tool for learning and as a training ground for skills that can also be developed in the classroom: from teamwork and respect for rules to emotional management and the ability to face challenges.

The complete Didacta Italia – Abruzzo Edition Scientific Programme is available on the official website. Visitors can select the events they are interested in and complete their registration by purchasing a ticket directly through the portal. Payment can also be made using the Italian Teacher’s Card (Carta del docente).

Ticket prices are €16, €25 or €30, depending on the duration of attendance: one, two or three days, respectively.

Visitors can book up to two training events per day, choosing between seminars and workshops, while enjoying unlimited access to events organised by institutions and companies.

DIDACTA ITALIA – ABRUZZO EDITION is organised by Firenze Fiera and supported by an Organising Committee coordinated by Anna Paola Concia. The committee includes the Ministry of Education and Merit; the Abruzzo Region; the municipalities of Lanciano and L’Aquila; the Regional School Offices of Abruzzo, Molise, Marche and Puglia; the “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara; the University of L’Aquila; the University of Teramo; Abruzzo ITS Academy; ITS Moda Pescara; ITS Academy L’Aquila; the L’Aquila Academy of Fine Arts; ITS Agroalimentare Teramo; ITS Most Academy; and ITS Mark.

Scientific partner: INDIRE.

Partner: Didacta International.

Exhibition opening hours:

• 21 and 22 October: 9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• 23 October: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Website: www.fieradidacta.it

Hashtag: #didactaAbruzzo26

The Lancianofiera exhibition centre can be reached by car, by train or by shuttle bus from San Vito Lanciano railway station and Lanciano railway station (Lanciano FFSS).

Getting there: https://fieradidacta.indire.it/it/comeraggiungerci-edizione-abruzzo/