Artisan workshops from a time that still passes slowly; a knowledge that is handed down with serenity and awareness; the desire to protect the inspiration and elegant creativity of master craftsmen in Tuscia: all this is “Lazio Artigiana”, an initiative promoted by Lazio regionthanks to the funding for Business Networks between Economic Activities, which aims to connect the rich artisan heritage with the tourism sector, creating a bridge between local master craftsmen and a wider national and international audience.
“Artisan Lazio” it is not limited to cultural consolidation and augmentation touristbut also aims to integrate craftsmanship into the educational programs of schoolsin order to increase awareness and valorization of local traditions even among the youngest.
Numerous initiatives are planned: 5 weekends of craftsmanship, which include exhibitions and workshops within selected venues, 4 events called “A trip to the shop” which involve artisan workshops typical of the area, and 9 events with guided visits to the participating villages and shops.
Tuscia stands out, therefore, as an oasis of artisanal vitality, and initiatives such as “Lazio Artigiana” aim to enhance and promote this important historical and cultural heritagecreating new ones opportunity for artisans – subjects who fight strenuously every day against the giants of globalization and massification – and obviously stimulating attractions for visitors.
This type of territorial project such as “Lazio Artigiana” is designed to fuel the hope of a recovery in the sector, especially considering that in recent years, craftsmanship in Lazio has suffered a significant contraction.
As highlighted by a survey conducted by Infocamere and presented during the annual meeting of the National Confederation of Crafts of Laziodata updated to September 30, 2023 indicate a 3.6% decrease in small artisan businesses in the region, equivalent to almost 3,500 units. This decline is higher than the national average, which stands at 3.2%.
In the region, as of 30 September 2023, there were registered artisan businesses 91,751, representing 7.2% of all businesses Italian artisans. The province of Rome hosts almost 70% of these companies, even though it has suffered one of the most marked declines in the last five years.
In contrast to this negative trend, the Tuscia emerges precisely as an exception, representing a fundamental pillar of the Viterbo economy. The richness of the territory in terms of traditions, ancient crafts and artistic-cultural heritage thus contributes to making the Viterbo craftsmanship among the most prolific and lively in Lazio.
According to the report of theConfartigianato Research Officein fact, in Tuscia there are over 11,000 artisan entrepreneurs, which contribute to 14% of the income in the Viterbo area. In Viterbo, the vast majority are microenterprisesas many as 96.4% of the total of those in the area: these small realities they employ approximately 44,454 peoplewith an employment rate of 66.8%.
Another relevant fact concerns the presence of young entrepreneurs, with 2,417 businesses led by under 35sof which 461 managed by women, representing 21.7% of Viterbo’s entrepreneurship. The value added of Viterbo craftsmanship, finally, stands at 966.8 million eurosequal to 15.2% of the provincial total: a treasure to be protected by valorising the subjects who operate in the area by exploiting their manual skills, creativity and love for the places they inhabit.
According to a survey by Infocamere, updated to 30 September 2023 and presented during the annual assembly of the National Confederation of Lazio craftsmanship, entitled “The craftsmanship of Lazio, which future”, we are witnessing in the last 5 years to a real one free fall of small artisan businessesdecreased by 3.6% (almost 3,500 units), more than the average reduction in craftsmanship throughout Italy (3.2%).
