CEDIT – Ceramiche d’Italia supports education and backs up the first edition of MADE LABS, the new educational initiative conceived by MADE PROGRAM (a project of the “Rosario Gagliardi” Academy of Fine Arts, an officially accredited international academy of fine arts based in Syracuse, Sicily). This event is addressed to designers, architects and artists who are curious about new developments in their fields.

The initiative will take place from 24th to 31st July in Syracuse, the very heart of Sicily: eight days of workshops and lectures that will deal with the theme of the trasformation of this ancient town (that has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and of its many heritage sites  into “artificial” tourist attractions.

“The CEDIT brand, particularly sensitive to the link between art, design, craftsmanship and innovation, finds in this project and in the topics developed many affinities – explains Stefano Torrenti, Managing Director of Florim Ceramiche – and supports education to promote first-hand training for young designers, architects and artists through initiatives aimed at stimulating creativity and enhancing their design culture”.

What is the future of heritage? Is the transformation of heritage sites into hotels and tourist attractions inevitable? How can we devise an alternative preservation strategy that limits the loss of informality and authenticity? These are just some of the questions that will be approached by the lecturers.

The program of “Authenti-city (or the UNESCO Paradox)” – this is the name of the initiative – will be examined in depth by world-renowned creative professionals in the field of architecture and design, among which Formafantasma, Sabine Marcelis, Guillermo Santomà, Domitilla Dardi, Angela Rui.

After the “CEDIT for Object” prize (awarded last April in collaboration with the miart fair), the CEDIT brand affirms once again its continuous contribution to the diffusion of art, design, craftsmanship and innovation through the financing of 30 scholarships for the training of young professionals. Always in support of “talent”, in order to encourage creativity and increase the design culture of the different figures involved.