MIDA 2025: the 89th edition of the International Handicrafts Exhibition returns to Florence
From April 25 to May 1, 2025, MIDA returns to the Fortezza da Basso in Florence, confirming itself as a reference point for excellent craftsmanship. The Cavaniglia Pavilion will once again be the beating heart of creativity, set up by Artex in collaboration with Firenze Fiera, the event’s organizer.
The Cavaniglia Pavilion: a journey into contemporary craftsmanship
Once again this year, the Cavaniglia Pavilion will host:
Commercial spaces dedicated to contemporary productions, attentive to stylistic and material research.
National and international collectives for the promotion and marketing of contemporary craft creations.
Image exhibitions, telling the world of artistic craftsmanship from different points of view.
“Expressions: the soul of artisans.”
A photo exhibition that explores craftsmanship from an intimate and personal perspective, telling the deep connection between artisan and creation. The images reveal stories, emotions and lived lives, where the hand is only an instrument of the creative soul.
1 – Diversion – The other possible way.
Working group:
Andrea Biancalani – Coordinator
Elena Mariotti
Ginevra Vernacchia
Artisans:
Il Bronzetto – https://ilbronzetto.com/
Saskia Wittmer – https://www.saskiascarpesumisura.com/
Ippogrifo Stampe d’ Arte – https://www.ippogrifostampedarte.com/
Maselli Bottega d’Arte – http://www.cornicimaselli.com/
2 – Creative Impulses
Working Group:
Enrico Calamandrei – Coordinator
Michele Bianchi
Gucci Davide
Nencini Maria Luisa
Artisans:
Andrea Amerighi Goldsmith – https://www.facebook.com/amerighiorafo/
Roberta Giannoccaro Mosaics – https://www.robertagiannoccaro.it/
3 – Being an artisan today – The story of Daniel Waples
Working Group:
Massimiliano Faralli – Coordinator
Romina Barsotti
Giulia Giovacchini
Filomena Vulcano
Artisans:
Bossnote Repair – http://www.bossnoterepair.com/
4 – Chapeau.
Working Group:
Andrea Foligni – Coordinator
Simone Malanima
Marco A. Pieragnoli
Artisans:
Ilaria Creazione Cappelli – https://www.ilariacreazionecappelli.com/
Project by:
Cultural Association for the Spread of Visual Arts FuoriCampo of Prato
Promoted by:
Artex, Centro per l’Artigianato Artistico e Tradizionale della Toscana as part of the actions of the Officina Creativa Lab project, promoted by the Region of Tuscany and the City of Florence
Exhibition design:
Studio LaVanguardia.
Craft Gallery. Essence of Making.
A dramatic display along the walls of the Cavaniglia Pavilion celebrates the skill and passion of 24 Tuscan artisans, with a fully equipped workshop where artisans tell their stories through words and gestures.
Discover the protagonists at: www.galleriartigianato.it
Curated by Artex, with artistic direction by Jean Blanchaert and set up by La Vanguardia Progetti and Sara Casati Designer.
Emirates Jewellers, Perfumes and Oud
For its third edition, the Emirates Jewellers project at MIDA expands and presents, in the group show inside the Cavaniglia Pavilion organized by Artex, not only jewelry, but also perfumes and oud.
The new Emirates Jewellers, Perfumers and Oud project at MIDA confirms itself as an important opportunity to create bonds of knowledge and cultural exchange between two realities and traditions as geographically distant as Tuscany and the Middle East, but close in their desire to explore new contaminations.
Launched in October 2017 on the occasion of the 43rd edition of the Watch & Jewellery Middle East Show, the jewelry fair of the Arab Emirate of Sharjah, Emirates Platform is an initiative of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Expo Centre Sharjah. Created to support and showcase Emirati jewelry designers, the platform has since expanded to include oud and perfume, representing the UAE’s rich heritage in luxury craftsmanship. Emirates Platform actively participates in local and international exhibitions and is a prestigious platform for presenting Emirati luxury craftsmanship to a global audience. The initiative aims to support young talents through the improvement of their professional and marketing skills, and aims to successfully position them in the global market. With the inclusion of oud and perfumes, Emirates Platform has evolved into an exclusive creativity center, offering visitors a unique experience where the elegance of fine jewelry meets the art of perfume creation. From originally designed jewelry creations to captivating oriental fragrances, each product reflects the authenticity and innovation of Emirati talent, capable of competing with global luxury brands.
Emirates Jewellers, Perfumes and Oud at MIDA is one of the fruits of the more than 20-year collaboration between Artex and the Sharjah Arab Emirate Chamber of Commerce.
Creative Twin Cities Craft × Design Week
Following the success of last year’s edition, Creative Twin Cities, an exhibition of traditional Chinese handicrafts that presents the degree of innovation and cultural significance of traditional Chinese handicrafts to Italian audiences, returns to Mida 2025. The exhibition is supported by the Hangzhou Museum of Arts and Crafts (Hangzhou China Knife, Scissors, Sword, Fan, and Umbrella Museum), the Publicity Department of the CPC Jiande Municipal Committee, the Publicity Department of the CPC Xihu District Committee of Hangzhou, the Publicity Department of the CPC Chun’an County Committee, and the Hangzhou Liangzhu Heritage Site Management Committee.
This year, the Hangzhou exhibition delegation created an “overseas journey” matrix focused on handicrafts: the arts and crafts heritage of Hangzhou, the cross-sectoral innovations of Jiande City, the cultural innovations of Xihu District traditions, the revival of traditional handicrafts in Chun’an, the revitalization and innovation of Liangzhu culture, and the cultural “national IP treasure” of the giant panda. These innovations demonstrate the innovative power of Hangzhou’s traditional handicrafts.
Arts and Crafts – Craft workshops for adults and children
Educational workshops aimed at adults and youths 16 years and older.
From April 25 to May 1, on the occasion of MIDA 2025, at the Spadolini Pavilion, ground floor, at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence, Artex, in collaboration with Firenze Fiera, CNA Toscana and Confartigianato Imprese Toscana, is organizing free workshops to bring the general public closer to the most varied, traditional and valuable crafts.
The workshops are open by reservation to a maximum of ten participants at a time and are free for MIDA visitors with regular tickets.
Click here to download the full schedule of workshops
📍 Cavaniglia Pavilion – MIDA 2025
🗓 April 25 – May 1.
⏰ Hours: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
A unique opportunity to discover, touch and be inspired by the world of contemporary craftsmanship.
Find out all the details on the website of Artex, Center for Artistic and Traditional Crafts of Tuscany
We look forward to seeing you there!
