The artisan festival in Cava de' Tirreni

The initiative The ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by Regional Councillor for Innovation Valeria Fascione, sealed the longstanding partnership between CAD and the Salerno association for crafts and small and medium-sized businesses. “The marriage was already made some time ago; opening the CNA office inside CAD, the Digital Craft Centre in Cava de’Tirreni, is the icing on the cake. It allows us to move forward together, closer to the future,” said Amleto Picerno Ceraso, founder of Mediterranean FabLab, the first digital fabrication laboratory in southern Italy. He accompanied Iaia, who also organises the Cambiamenti Award for innovative businesses, as he explored the creative enterprises working at CAD. The CNA workshop opened yesterday will offer all the services CNA traditionally provides to its members, alongside the opportunities created by being part of a hub of creativity, digitalisation and technological revolution. Craftspeople will be immersed in this environment at the Centre on Via Crispi. “We also want to represent the new generation of craftspeople,” said Lucio Ronca and Simona Paolillo, President and Secretary of CNA Salerno, who cut the ribbon with Cava representatives Tony Sorrentino and Maria Santoriello. “Being here means keeping up with the times, supporting craftspeople seeking the right balance between tradition and digital innovation and, last but not least, ensuring our usual services are available to this part of the province.”

In the beautiful setting of Piazza Duomo, the event’s organizers, Tony Sorrentino and Imma Della Corte, welcomed the many visitors who came to watch some of the team’s artisans at work and admire their products—created with skilled craftsmanship and knowledge passed down through the great artisan traditions of Cava and Salerno. The local administration has supported the Festival from the outset, recognizing the economic value of craftsmanship and the importance of helping new generations learn about tradition and keep up to date, so they can offer services and products that are the true fruit of Made in Italy. The square showcased many crafts: demonstrations of historic trades using period tools for rope-making, one of the products that made Cava famous, following the tradition of the Santa Lucia district, as well as modern creations made through the art of recycling. The event closed with a fashion show featuring six female models and four male models wearing wedding and occasion outfits, and a message from Giosuè, the model who brought the show to a close. He showed how craftsmanship can have a social impact by dressing everyone and making them feel special, including people with disabilities. “The artisans in the square showcased all their skills and highlighted the opportunity for young people in Cava de’ Tirreni to start a business in the craft sector, even in times of crisis,” said newly appointed Councillor for Productive Activities Adolfo Salsano. Tired but happy, the organizers noted that the event was a chance to bridge the gap and bring workshops out onto the streets, but this was only the first step. In October, artisans will open their workshops to curious visitors and anyone who wants to learn and discover some of the secrets of their trade. “Training, information and promoting the craft traditions of Cava and Salerno remain our goals,” explained the organizers. “Our vision is to get ever closer to younger generations and offer opportunities to grow and establish ourselves as a provider of training courses that can lead to work. We want people to understand all the opportunities that a career in the crafts can offer—a sector that can truly help counter the economic crisis and bring great satisfaction to new generations, who must know how to combine time-honoured teachings, the essential foundation, with new technologies.” A competition for couples getting married will be announced soon, with the final draw taking place in December during the event’s closing gala.

In the beautiful setting of Piazza Duomo, the event’s organizers, Tony Sorrentino and Imma Della Corte, welcomed the many visitors who came to watch some of the team’s artisans at work and admire their products—created with skilled craftsmanship and knowledge passed down through the great artisan traditions of Cava and Salerno. The local administration has supported the Festival from the outset, recognizing the economic value of craftsmanship and the importance of helping new generations learn about tradition and keep up to date, so they can offer services and products that are the true fruit of Made in Italy. The square showcased many crafts: demonstrations of historic trades using period tools for rope-making, one of the products that made Cava famous, following the tradition of the Santa Lucia district, as well as modern creations made through the art of recycling. The event closed with a fashion show featuring six female models and four male models wearing wedding and occasion outfits, and a message from Giosuè, the model who brought the show to a close. He showed how craftsmanship can have a social impact by dressing everyone and making them feel special, including people with disabilities. “The artisans in the square showcased all their skills and highlighted the opportunity for young people in Cava de’ Tirreni to start a business in the craft sector, even in times of crisis,” said newly appointed Councillor for Productive Activities Adolfo Salsano. Tired but happy, the organizers noted that the event was a chance to bridge the gap and bring workshops out onto the streets, but this was only the first step. In October, artisans will open their workshops to curious visitors and anyone who wants to learn and discover some of the secrets of their trade. “Training, information and promoting the craft traditions of Cava and Salerno remain our goals,” explained the organizers. “Our vision is to get ever closer to younger generations and offer opportunities to grow and establish ourselves as a provider of training courses that can lead to work. We want people to understand all the opportunities that a career in the crafts can offer—a sector that can truly help counter the economic crisis and bring great satisfaction to new generations, who must know how to combine time-honoured teachings, the essential foundation, with new technologies.” A competition for couples getting married will be announced soon, with the final draw taking place in December during the event’s closing gala.