The sector of conservation and enhancement of Cultural and Environmental Heritage today takes on a fundamental role in the energy transition and in the promotion of sustainability in cities, historic centres, villages and the overall architectural heritage. It is no coincidence that in recent years the world of restoration has gone through a phase of rapid growth, driven by various factors such as earthquake, eco and facade super bonuses, in addition to European funding from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (Pnrr).
An impulse that has strengthened the companies in the supply chain, generating an increase in activities and paving the way for new opportunities: significant challenges that require the attention of experts and institutions. Currently, the main driver of this growth is represented by Pnrr funding which, until 2026, will constitute the backbone of public contracts in the restoration and redevelopment sector. The resources allocated include: 1.1 billion euros for the regeneration of small cultural sites, religious and rural cultural heritage, and 2.72 billion euros for the cultural and creative industry 4.0. December 2024 will inaugurate the Jubilee year, an unprecedented opportunity for architectural and urban redevelopment, supported by huge funds that must be deployed by the end of the year.
It is in this scenario that the International Restoration Exhibition, scheduled at Ferrara Expo from 15 to 17 May, is preparing to raise the curtain. With a cultural proposal and a prestigious exhibition area and
interest, Restauro 2024, the first and only appointment in Italy qualified at an international ISO2563 level and Isfcert certified, will propose a dynamic and functional three-day event, where experts and operators will be able to
sharing knowledge, describing processes, discovering materials, technologies and solutions for a sustainable, efficient, digital and integrated future for the entire sector.
«A global reference hub in the field of Cultural and Environmental Heritage, Restauro 2024 is a meeting place and exchange of knowledge that contributes in unison to the protection of the world’s inestimable historical-artistic heritage, but it is also a ground for union, where different cultures, sometimes even in conflict, come together to embrace a common objective given by the valorization and conservation of individual cultural heritages – declares Andrea Moretti, president of Ferrara Expo – Characterized by a unique exhibition proposal and an authoritative conference and educational, the Show is a showcase of Italian restoration excellence, a profession of the highest prestige, which has its roots in craftsmanship of the noblest meaning. Italy, with its model of valorisation of cultural heritage, is a virtuous example that attracts the attention of numerous countries in the world, eager to strengthen this aspect. The Salone del Restauro takes on a leading role in this context, qualifying itself as an authoritative platform in which the future directions of the sector are traced, an engine for cultural, social and economic growth”.
«Ferrara is pleased to open the doors to the now traditional International Restoration Exhibition at Ferrara Expo, an event of absolute importance in Italy and a global point of reference for the protection and conservation of cultural and environmental heritage. This is an important showcase that gives prestige to our city, a UNESCO heritage site, with a series of initiatives and insights aimed at laying the foundations for facing the new challenges of the sector. I thank everyone who made this important event possible”, said the mayor of Ferrara, Alan Fabbri.
«The collaboration of the Municipality of Ferrara continues profitably, which will be present at the International Restoration Exhibition, for the third consecutive year together with the Ferrara Arte Foundation, with a stand dedicated to the restorations recently carried out, aimed at protecting the city’s cultural heritage and returning it to the city and tourists. A part will be dedicated to the Spazio Antonioni, a new museum for Ferrara, which adds to the others already active in the area and which will inaugurate on May 31st, bringing to light part of the 47 thousand objects – including documents, films and much more – that the director Michelangelo Antonioni donated to his hometown. Another focus will be on the recent restoration of the imposing canvas by Giuseppe Avanzi (about 36 square metres), from 1695, which returned after almost eighty years to the Church of San Cristoforo alla Certosa at the end of a complex restoration”, explains the councilor for Culture, Marco Gulinelli.
TECHNOLOGICAL, INNOVATIVE, SUSTAINABLE: A LOOK AT THE SHOW
A dynamic and stimulating crossroads in which to interact and share know-how and experiences, the International Restoration Exhibition will offer the business community an unparalleled opportunity to highlight skills and professionalism for the protection and enhancement of the historical-artistic heritage . In an increasingly complex sector in which markets and professionals are called upon to dialogue and interact, developing a shared and synergistic design approach, the Ferrara Expo pavilions will offer a vision of the latest products and solutions available and will provide an overview of the challenges and trends that are characterizing the sector.
Companies specializing in the restoration of artistic, historical and archaeological assets, in conservative and consolidation restoration, as well as companies that produce or distribute innovative machines for the preservation of cultural heritage will exhibit at the fair. Cutting-edge technologies, instruments and diagnostics will be represented to highlight the importance of scientific research in this area too. Acting as a catalyst for a wide range of highly interconnected sectors, the expo will showcase a vast range of products and services, such as new generation materials, plant engineering, surface cleaning and restoration, lighting engineering, multimedia and software for design, building Information Modeling (BIM), anti-seismic solutions, safety and construction site equipment, and proposals for energy requalification.
Universities, art institutes, restoration schools, laboratories and training bodies, research and cataloging centres, together with public and private bodies dedicated to the environment, protection and recovery will be an integral part of the Salon: a strategic participation that testifies to the joint commitment in wanting to enhance the entire sector. And again, museums, libraries, archives and editorial services will be fundamental to promoting collaboration between different entities and guaranteeing the protection and safeguarding of Italy’s rich cultural heritage.
CULTURAL BRIDGES AND VALUE RELATIONSHIPS: THE PLUS OF RESTORATION 2024
The 2024 edition of the International Restoration Exhibition also enjoys the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, (MiC) which will be present with a large dedicated institutional area. The space of the Ministry, in addition to hosting institutes, museums, secretariats and superintendencies, will be the beating heart of three rich days punctuated by workshops, laboratories for hundreds of young people and in-depth sessions to enhance the knowledge and knowledge of operators in the sector.
The congress component will be particularly sensitive to the relationship between restoration and environmental sustainability, promoting practices and methodologies that respect the environment and make extensive use of eco-compatible materials. A commitment that highlights the awareness of the importance of preserving cultural heritage in a responsible and sustainable way for future generations.
Still in the MiC area, various expertise created on some particularly important construction sites will be presented and discussed. These best practices offer a privileged look at the challenges and solutions adopted during the restoration and conservation works of important historical sites and monuments: from complex seismic improvement interventions to innovative conservative restoration methods, these contributions represent a precious wealth of knowledge and skills, a meeting point for the growth and continuous development of practices in the field of restoration and conservation of cultural heritage.
Towards Restoration Week: delegates from 16 countries to discover Made in Italy restoration. The central moment of Restoration Week, a traveling event that promotes Made in Italy restoration on global markets, will be the Restoration Salon. Thanks to the partnership with Assorestauro and the collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – Ice Agency, Restauro 2024 is ready to host the next 50 international delegates from 16 countries on 15 and 16 May: Albania, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Jordan, Iran, Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Mozambique, United States, Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Nations that show growing attention to the recovery of their ‘cultural heritage’ – historical-artistic heritage to be enhanced within the community – and that look to Italy as a center of excellence for products, services, technologies and know-how linked to the world of the restoration and conservation of cultural heritage. The Restoration Week will welcome, in the week from 13 to 17 May, the large foreign delegation, offering them the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of restoration through exclusive experiences and direct meetings with professionals in the sector.
Assorestauro has planned meetings directly on the construction sites, with the aim of facilitating the exchange of knowledge between Italian restoration experts and their international counterparts. The Restoration Week 2024 program includes, among other things, visits to places not normally accessible to visitors. We will start from Lombardy, with the construction sites of the Milan Cathedral and the Sforzesco Castle, and then continue to the Scuderie di Montel near San Siro. The journey will continue in Emilia-Romagna, where international exchange activities will be carried out within the Restauro 2024 pavilions and where exceptional openings are planned: the delegates will access the recently completed construction site of the Church of San Paolo in Ferrara, closed to the public by the earthquake of 2012, and will visit the former Theatine convent, currently under restoration. The final stop will be in Crevalcore, near Bologna, to explore the reconstruction site of the Teatro Comunale.
