Florence, May 3, 2026. The 90th edition of MIDA, the International Handicrafts Exhibition, closes tonight at 8:00 PM at the Fortezza da Basso, with over 60,000 visitors, confirming the success of an event that for nine decades has showcased quality craftsmanship in Florence, highlighting the growing interest in a sector that represents a fundamental pillar of “Made in Italy” and the country’s economy.

The public response to the experiential workshops organized for the fair’s 90th anniversary was excellent, with sold-out sessions across artisan-led labs, guided tours, and cooking shows. These took place in the top floor of the Spadolini Pavilion and featured many Michelin-starred chefs, producers, and industry professionals, also involving schools.

“The success of this 90th edition, which for the first time benefited from the active participation of the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy and the Ministry of Education and Merit, encourages us to continue along the path we have taken toward an increasingly attractive and engaging fair in an exclusive setting such as the Fortezza da Basso,” said Lorenzo Becattini, President of Firenze Fiera. “Strengthening synergies with key institutions, the growing public interest in various initiatives such as ‘The Exhibition within the Exhibition,’ which took visitors on a compelling and unprecedented journey from the 1930s to the present day, and the high cultural value of conferences addressing highly relevant topics such as generational turnover and the role of artisanal work in individual and collective well-being, have enabled us to achieve our growth objectives in terms of quality and engagement from an increasingly young, attentive, and discerning audience.”

“I would like to thank all the exhibitors,” Becattini concluded, “who, together with our institutional partners, supported us by investing in the fair and contributing to the success of this wonderful edition.”

“The International Handicrafts Exhibition of Florence remains the largest showcase for craftsmanship in Italy,” said Francesco Amerighi, President of CNA Firenze Metropolitana. “It is a concrete opportunity for artisans to engage with the public and markets, as well as a privileged observatory for understanding the sector’s transformations. For this reason, we will continue to work to ensure that events like this can evolve and best enhance the artisanal heritage, which represents a fundamental part of our country’s economic and cultural identity.”

“The closing of this edition of MIDA delivers a positive result: the exhibition has confirmed its attractiveness and, especially in the final days, recorded a significant recovery in attendance. This is an important signal that we also observed in events dedicated to restoration, a sector in which our initiatives consistently saw full and highly attentive participation. It confirms how craftsmanship, in its highest and most identity-defining expressions, continues to generate interest, engagement, and shared appreciation,” added Serena Vavolo, President of Confartigianato Imprese Firenze.