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Florence International Artisan Fair 2019: a brand-new edition

For the 83 rd edition, the showcase will be totally revamped with brand new content.

‘Innovation’ and ‘tradition’ are two words that have always characterised the Florence International Artisan Fair and this year, they take on further meaning.

The 2019 edition, scheduled to run from April 24 until May 1 at the Fortezza da Basso, will be an extraordinary event, different from previous ones, with a revamped exhibition system.
The event will be equipped with a modern staging, designed especially to best-display the products, optimising the experience of participants and facilitating easy contact with the 600 exhibitors that will be present.

The event offers the possibility to visit a global village, where the excellence of made-by-hand products from all over the world will be on full and glorious display. It also gives visitors the opportunity to buy unique hand-made pieces.


Why visit the Florence International Artisan Fair?
It is a highly original and diverse event, where you’ll be able to find various quality handmade objects; from household items to clothes and jewellery to digital solutions.
It offers a complete journey, where you’ll discover things culled not only from the different regions of Italy, but also from more than 50 countries around the world.
Other than visiting the stands, you’ll have the chance to participate in exclusive activities such as taste workshops and demonstrations conducted by master artisans and chefs.
This edition is different to previous ones and will offer a truly unique experience.


Where to find the Exhibition?

The Exhibition is divided into sections, making the experience clearer for visitors.
Within the section Territori you will find L’Italia, with homegrown artisans and businesses, there is also
a section named Il Mondo, which is dedicated to international artisans.
In the section named Manufatti per tutti, there will be many small products available. You can choose between Sartoria e accessori, Ecologia e recupero e Lavorazioni in diretta, where it will also be possible to watch products being made.
Next there will be a section labelled Nuovissimi, reserved for young people and centred on makers and digital crafts. An area called Bellezze e benessere, will contain artisans who work on cosmetics, perfumes and products for skin care. There is also a section called Artigianato del Gusto, which will have various presentations and the opportunity to taste excellent culinary products, watch cooking shows, workshops and seminars.

Over the course of the eight days of the exhibition, as part of the Artigiani in scena program,
it will be possible to participate in various educational activities and meet professionals from
different craft sectors, attending live demonstrations and watching them work.


Two exceptional exhibits

Among the different twists to this year’s program, the guests of honour will not be a foreign nation like in previous events, but instead, Florence and Tuscany, from which many exclusive events will derive.
The first is Firenze su Misura: Wunderkammer (curated by OMA and Gruppo Editoriale, staged by EligoStudio) in which the exhibits of 60 master artisans will be presented. It will be divided into six categories (home decorations, jewellery, leather goods, tailoring, accessories, perfume goods) and placed in an evocative setting, inspired by the famed “Wunderkammer”, the renowned “cabinet of curiosities” of the great collectors between the Sixteenth and Eighteenth centuries.
The second is Le sette meraviglie della Toscana (curated by Once), a selection of products
made by the most acclaimed masters of Tuscany. The products are made with materials representative of their regions: alabaster, ceramics, cutlery, bronze, marble, gold, tobacco. Artisans will also demonstrate some of their rarer works.

So, why not come and visit?


Useful information

The Fortezza da Basso can be found close to the station Santa Maria Novella—just about five
minutes away if you’re walking. Alternatively, there is the tram, using line T1 and getting off
at the stop ‘Fortezza’, which is the entrance piazza.

Opening hours: all day from 10:00 until 20:00 with a ticket and from 20:00 to 22:00 for free
entry to admire the renovated Corte dei Sapori and to visit the two exhibits dedicated to the
excellent artisans of Florence and Tuscany.