Florence, September 18, 2026. Florence has always been synonymous with Art and Culture, but it is also a laboratory of Science and Innovation. Born from this awareness is the talk “The Economy of Light”, promoted and organized by Firenze Fiera in collaboration with Il Sole 24 Ore, the University of Florence, CNR-INO, INAF (National Institute for Astrophysics), INFN (National Institute for Nuclear Physics), INRIM (National Institute of Metrological Research), and LENS (European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy).

The event will take place on Tuesday, September 22, at 2:30 PM, at the Palazzo degli Affari in conjunction with Bright-Night – The European Researchers’ Night.

A city of art and cradle of the Renaissance, Florence thus renews its vocation as a meeting place between humanistic knowledge and scientific knowledge, proposing itself as an ideal stage for a dialogue between research, innovation, and culture.

The initiative tells how research on light is transferred into key sectors for the Tuscan economy: energy and photovoltaics, health and diagnostic imaging, advanced microscopy, analysis of artworks, and quantum computing, generating concrete economic value in the local area.

The meeting is part of a unique day dedicated to innovation at the Palazzo degli Affari and represents at the same time the first step of a broader path that will lead, in May 2027 at the Fortezza da Basso, to the realization of a new Festival dedicated to science and light, of which the September event constitutes the official launch.

After institutional greetings from Lorenzo Becattini, President of Firenze Fiera, and Marco Pierini, Vice-Rector of the University of Florence, the meeting will be moderated by Filomena Greco, journalist for Il Sole 24 Ore. Speakers will include Francesca Di Turo (University of Florence), Carlo Sias (National Institute of Metrological Research and European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy), Alessandro Zavatta (CNR – National Institute of Optics and QTI S.r.l.), Cinzia Talamonti (University of Florence / INFN), and Simone Esposito (INAF-OAA).

Closing the talk will be the inspirational presentation by Massimo Temporelli, physicist and science communicator.

“With this event, we strengthen a connection that is fundamental for us, the one with the University of Florence and the main Florentine and national scientific institutions – states the President of Firenze Fiera, Lorenzo Becattini –. It is a collaboration that is particularly close to our hearts, and which today lays the foundations for the Science Festival that we will bring to the Fortezza da Basso in May 2027.”

“Florence confirms itself as a place of meeting and dialogue between science and society – declares the Rector of the University of Florence, Alessandra Petrucci –. Events like this bring research closer to people and foster collaboration between the university, institutions, and local entities. They are precious opportunities to share knowledge, spark curiosity, and enhance the contribution of science. An open dialogue to which the University of Florence is proud to contribute, making available the skills and experiences of its scientific community.”

“Florence has a unique history in knowing how to combine art, culture, and scientific knowledge, and we are proud that the Palazzo degli Affari hosts, on the same day, both the Innovation Days of Il Sole 24 Ore and this moment of scientific reflection: a concrete sign of how business and research can dialogue in Florence – concludes President Becattini.”

The talk is part of the Tuscan stage of the “Innovation Days 2026 – The challenges of a world in transformation and new growth trajectories”, the national roadshow promoted by Il Sole 24 Ore in collaboration with Confindustria and Firenze Fiera, dedicated to local entrepreneurship, innovation, and the energy transition. The proceedings will open at 10:00 AM with the address by the Director of Il Sole 24 Ore, Fabio Tamburini, followed by institutional greetings from the Mayor of Florence, Sara Funaro, the President of Confindustria Toscana Centro e Costa, Lapo Baroncelli, and the President of Firenze Fiera, Lorenzo Becattini. Also present will be experts, institutions, and representatives from the business world, united to analyze new scenarios in exports, financial credit, efficiency, and innovation applied to Made in Italy.