On 11 March 2025, the CNA National Auditorium in Rome will host the conference ‘Handmade in Italy: Roots and Innovation between Culture and Design’, a meeting dedicated to the value of Italian artistic and traditional craftsmanship, its evolution and its cultural and economic impact in the contemporary context.
A heritage to protect and innovate
Italy boasts a craftsmanship tradition rooted in history and in Renaissance workshops, which has developed into a global brand of excellence: Made in Italy. However, in a world increasingly oriented towards industrial production and delocalisation, the risk of losing craftsmanship know-how is real. The conference aims to analyse the synergies between design and craft production, between tradition and new technologies, promoting strategies to enhance and protect the sector.
The themes of the conference
Through a dialogue between designers, art historians, innovation experts and institutional representatives, the conference will address several key aspects of the future of Italian craftsmanship, including:
– The role of design in reinterpreting tradition and connecting the past with the needs of the contemporary market.
– Innovation in production processes, with a focus on new technologies and sustainable materials.
– The importance of handicraft knowledge transmission, an intangible heritage also recognised by UNESCO, and strategies to counter its progressive disappearance.
– The cultural and economic value of the handmade, analysing the positioning of artistic craftsmanship in the global market.
Speakers and Guests
The event will be attended by leading experts in the design, art and culture scene, including:
– Elena Balsamini, President of Unione CNA Artistico e Tradizionale
– Costantino D’Orazio, art historian and director of the National Gallery of Umbria
– Elia Napolitano, lecturer at the University of Pavia – Master in Innovative Art Management
– Sen. Lucia Borgonzoni, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture
– Dario Costantini, National CNA President
The debate will be moderated by Simona Finessi, communication expert in the design and architecture sector.
A new model for the craft sector of the future
The conference will be a unique opportunity to reflect on how the handicraft sector can respond to global challenges, maintaining a strong link with the territory while adopting an innovative approach. The synergy between designers, craftsmen and institutions can be the key to building a sustainable future for Italian handmade, enhancing the quality, creativity and historical memory that have always distinguished our country.
The event is sponsored by ADI Lazio (Association for Industrial Design) and the Order of Architects of Rome.
📍 Appointment on 11 March 2025, from 11.00 a.m., at the CNA National Auditorium in Rome.
For more information and to participate, visit the official CNA website: www.cna.it
For the registration visit: Handmade in Italia – Marketing CNA
