Roots and innovation: ABAP Superintendent outlines new vision for Made

Roots and innovation: ABAP Superintendent outlines new vision for Made in Italy

The conference held at the offices of the Superintendent of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the provinces of Caserta and Benevento convened institutions, schools, universities, researchers and companies under the title "Skills for Made in Italy: culture, creativity and development." The meeting aimed to strengthen connections between cultural heritage, traditional know-how, design and innovation.

Superintendent Mariano Nuzzo emphasized the event as an open forum, describing heritage as a living resource that continues through those who study and produce. Chamber of Commerce president Tommaso De Simone recalled local historical production networks, citing the discovery of the Mola port on the Garigliano as evidence of longstanding regional trade and craftsmanship.

Speakers from the Royal Palace, the University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" and the Casa del Made in Italy highlighted design, company archives and education as tools to move beyond stereotyped readings of Made in Italy and to valorize Italian thought and craftsmanship. Company and technical contributions illustrated the continuity between artisanal techniques (woodworking, ebonistry, Florentine straw) and contemporary production.

• Aim: combine tradition and innovation to foster territorial development.
• Participants: Superintendent's office, Chamber of Commerce, university, schools, artisan and cultural enterprises.
• Topics: training, design, company archives, reactivation of disused production sites.

The meeting also introduced a draft programme for a training day for Ministry of Culture staff, scheduled for 30 September 2026 and titled "Culture that Generates Value: Policies, Impact and Development for Made in Italy". The course will focus on tools and methodologies to assess the contribution of cultural and creative industries to heritage enhancement and local development.