The XXIX edition of Restauro – International Exhibition of Cultural and Environmental Heritage ended with a more than positive outcome and full satisfaction. Compared to 2023, the Ferrara Expo event records a growth of 30% on the exhibition front and 50% in terms of visitation, thanks to a cultural proposal and a prestigious and interesting exhibition area: experts, companies and operators have pooled know-how and experiences, shared knowledge, described processes, discovered materials, technologies and solutions for a sustainable, efficient, digital and integrated future.
“We are very satisfied with the success of the XXIX edition of the Salone del Restauro. The vibrant atmosphere, enthusiastic participation and impressive conference program made this event an unforgettable experience. The numbers speak for themselves: increase in exhibitors and visitors, for attentive and involved participation during conferences and debates. A dynamic and stimulating crossroads, the Show confirms itself as a showcase of Italian restoration mastery and a meeting place and exchange of knowledge and knowledge that contribute in unison to the protection of the world’s inestimable historical-artistic heritage – declares Andrea Moretti, president of Ferrara Expo -. Our country is a beacon of excellence and tradition: its undisputed usefulness in preserving and enhancing the artistic and cultural heritage in Italy and abroad. Restauro 2024 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”.
The Show offered the entire supply chain a transversal and integrated vision of products, services and solutions for restoration and provided a complete overview of the most pressing and current challenges and issues. The event gave the right emphasis to a profession of the highest prestige which has its roots in craftsmanship of the noblest meaning. Among the protagonists of the event, the artisanal restoration laboratories stand out, dedicated with competence and passion to the conservation and recovery of precious artefacts. Glass restorers, for example, bring to light the ancient splendor of artistic stained glass windows and crystal objects, while chandelier experts reconstruct intricate plays of light that adorn historic buildings and stately homes. There was no shortage of “restoration ateliers” which play a fundamental role by restoring period fabrics and clothing, artistic artefacts and historic homes, with meticulous attention to detail and traditional techniques. These laboratories represent the soul of Italian restoration, an art that combines ancient knowledge and innovation. Innovation that is expressed today in latest generation technologies and systems, holograms and lighting engineering, multimedia and design software, to continue to safeguard and enhance our cultural heritage even in the third millennium. The 2024 edition saw the consolidation of the partnership between the Salone del Restauro and Assorestauro, the Italian association for artistic and urban architectural restoration, which contributed to enriching the event with a high-level conference program. The Assorestauro space was animated by the presence of associated companies who brought products, materials, equipment and technologies to Ferrara and illustrated best practices of a unique model in the world.
“We are very happy with how the Salon took place this year and also with how Restoration Week was carried out. There was a high level of participation from the associated companies both in the exhibition area and in the association’s assembly during which common visions, strategies and intentions for the future emerged. Our members have proposed stands and innovative contents, of high quality and above all capable of actively involving the public of the Fair”, the comment of the Board of Directors of Assorestauro. The collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, ICE Agency, is active and increasingly fundamental, thanks to which over 50 delegates from 16 countries participated in the event during the Restoration Week. In an ad hoc B2B space, representatives of Albania, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Jordan, Iran, Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Mozambique, United States, Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan, confirmed the growing attention to the recovery of their ‘cultural heritage’ and look to Italy as a center of excellence in the world of restoration and conservation of cultural heritage. “The delegations invited by the ICE offices in various countries offered a significant contribution to the internationalization of the Ferrara Show, interacting during scheduled meetings and others held on the spot, with exhibitors and visitors” – observed Matteo Masini, Office Manager consumer goods of ICE Agency – Particular attention was paid to the connection with the Heritage Fair in Istanbul, to the presentation of the soon-to-open training center in Uzbekistan and to the reconstruction projects and in Ukraine”.
Among the prestigious presences was the participation of the MiC – Ministry of Culture which, with an exhibition space of 400m2 and a dedicated conference area, saw the participation of Italian museums, institutes, managements and superintendencies. In the Ministry area, three days of workshops and educational laboratories for hundreds of children, as well as in-depth sessions to enhance the knowledge and knowledge of operators. The entire conference program was of great importance and authority, an authentic and timely reflection of the issues and solutions that revolve around the sector. Crucial issues were addressed, from the digitalisation of cultural heritage to new emergencies, such as earthquakes and climate change, passing through the strategic importance of sustainability and energy efficiency. At a regional level, Emilia-Romagna has also organized a series of activities on the future challenges of conservation, aimed at enhancing the local cultural heritage, offering the opportunity to learn about the artistic and historical excellence of the area. Remaining in the region, the conference on the presentation of the Castello Estense Project organized by the Province of Ferrara, from the post-2012 earthquake improvement intervention to the project for the refunctionalisation of the museum spaces, was particularly appreciated. The International Restoration Exhibition will be held from 14 to 16 May 2025 with the XXX edition.
