82nd Mostra Internazionale dell'Artigianato Opens in Florence with B2B Platform

The 82nd edition of the Mostra Internazionale dell'Artigianato, Italy's first craft fair, will take place from April 21 to May 1 at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence. Founded in 1931 by a spontaneous group of Florentine artisans, the fair was briefly interrupted during World War II and has since become an annual showcase of Italian and international handmade excellence. This year, over 800 exhibitors from 50 countries will participate. Organizer Firenze Fiera, led by president Leonardo Bassilichi, collaborates with Artex and major trade associations. The fair emphasizes young artisans and makers, such as Bianca Guscelli Brandimarte, who revived her family's silver brand after bankruptcy, and Simona Innocenti of BISBAG, a third-generation leatherworker focusing on circular economy. A B2B platform called Italian Crafts Accents, created by Firenze Fiera with Artex and the Tuscany Region, will launch on April 26-27, connecting artisans with buyers from the US, Canada, and China. Food events feature enogastronome Leonardo Romanelli with show cooking and tastings.