In the beautiful frame of the Medicean fortress of Fortezza da Basso in Florence, the Mostra Mercato Internazionale dell'artigianato (20 April - 1 May) returns, for its number 66 edition, with curiosities, novelties and a world to discover: that of handicraft and ancient crafts.

Artistic handicraft will be on the scene with Tuscan productions, but also Italian ones and, as guest of honour, Brazil's products. Inside the halls of the Florentine Fortress «Artigiani all'opera» and «Artigiani in diretta», master craftsmen will create, under the eyes of the visitors, the working of ceramic, of wrought iron or creating filigree.

Also, inside the sala delle Nazioni the first «Campionato Master di Balloon Art» which will see at work the best balloon artists in Europe, artists who with a very delicate manual work create, from balloons in latex, some incredible sculptures.

Also «Visioni», the exhibit within the exhibition, which will leave space, divided in three thematic areas, to artisan creativity as represented by 80 companies, which all have in common the passion for experimenting; «Outside», the novelty of this edition, a space dedicated to high quality International handicraft businesses.

«Maestri dell'artigianato», the prize that will be given to 10 artisans, whom with their work, have contributed to spread «Made in Tuscany» quality handicraft throughout the world.

Space is also given to Tuscan gastronomy with «Il salotto delle golosità toscane», «Vizi & Virtù». Also «Naturalmente!» an area dedicated to the European exhibition of quality handicraft, which will see as guest of honour the Baviera, Bayerisch Wald to be precise, and the products of the Pistoia Mountain.

Finally the «Treno dell'artigianato», Saturday 27th April, a thirties' convoy will be organised that will leave from Siena to reach the station of Santa Maria Novella, close to the Fortezza da Basso.

Mostra Mercato Internazionale dell'artigianato
Where: Fortezza da Basso - Florence
When: 20 April - 1 May
Opening times: every day 10 - 23; last day early closing at 8 pm.
Tickets: 7,50 € , conc. € 6,50.

April.2002

Firenze Expo
Municipality of Firenze
Tourist railways (In Italian)