Florence, 29 April 2026. MIDA90 is moving toward its final days, accompanying the public until its closing on Sunday, 3 May, with a programme that weaves together international perspectives, hands-on experiences, and moments of strong community value.

At the Fortezza da Basso, a week full of meetings, demonstrations, and crossovers between tradition and innovation has transformed the event into a true narrative of contemporary craftsmanship: from workshops with master artisans to curated cooking shows, up to the tenth edition of the Art and Restoration Fair, concluding on Thursday, 30 April.

Tomorrow’s programme begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Teatrino Lorenese with the European Crafts Alliance Annual Conference, promoted by the European Crafts Alliance (ECA), co-organised by Artex, and held in collaboration with Firenze Fiera and Artex.
“Crafting Wellbeing: Practices, Communities and the Power of Making” is the title of the meeting, bringing to Florence an international reflection on the role of craftsmanship as a driver of wellbeing, care, and social cohesion.

This is a theme currently resonating across Europe: manual making as a practice capable of influencing everyday life, improving quality of life and strengthening connections between people. The analysis conducted by the University of Eastern Finland for ECA provides concrete evidence, showing how the artisan gesture becomes a tool for balance and regeneration. Three case studies will give voice to experiences in which manual work becomes a means of renewal, inclusion, and the building of stronger communities.

At the same time, the day continues with workshops still open to the public. In the Spadolini Pavilion (ground floor), there are two sessions of hand weaving at 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., curated by ITS Tullio Buzzi of Prato and organised by Artex, offering a chance to rediscover the slowness and precision of an ancient craft. In the afternoon, Master artisan Franca Verteramo will lead two sessions dedicated to thread embroidery at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., where each gesture becomes a form of storytelling and a living memory of artisanal excellence.

There will also be space for cooking shows on the top floor of the Spadolini Pavilion, where gastronomic tradition meets haute cuisine. The morning opens with an exceptional masterclass led by two key figures of the Florentine scene, chef Riccardo Monco and Alessandro Della Tommasina from Enoteca Pinchiorri, who will involve students from the Chino Chini Institute of Borgo San Lorenzo in a highly valuable educational experience. In the afternoon, the spotlight turns to local territories: Cerreto Guidi and Scarperia take centre stage with two consecutive events. At 4:00 p.m., Stefano Pinciaroli will be featured, followed at 5:00 p.m. by Daniele Nuti, for a journey through authentic flavours and contemporary interpretations of Tuscan cuisine.

The evening marks one of the most significant moments of this edition. At 7:00 p.m., the Teatrino Lorenese will host a toast dedicated to the exhibitors, the true protagonists of MIDA90. This gathering is conceived as a gesture of gratitude and collective celebration, where the artisan community comes together and shares its story. During the evening, a symbolic gift will be presented: a limited-edition art print created using the Risograph technique, an eco-sustainable process that uses banana-fibre matrices and inks derived from rice husks.

The day will then conclude in the North-West Square from 7:00 p.m., with music, street food, and the harp of Chiara Trallori accompanied by a DJ set by Wally DJ.

INFO
Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Street food and live music: free entry 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.*
*3 May closing at 8:00 p.m.