Enhancing the past to build new opportunities in the present: this is the vision behind M.A.R.K.A.T.O. In Matera, from 15 to 17 April 2026, the project experienced three intense days of dialogue, listening and planning, clearly reaffirming its ambition: not simply to “tell the story” of traditional occupations, but to help make them central once again to local development pathways.
The first key moment was the Info Day held on 15 April, “Smart Hands. Made in Italy in the Digital Transition”, promoted by Fondazione Matera Basilicata 2019 in collaboration with Materahub and opened by the institutional greetings of the Foundation, Materahub and CNA Matera. It was an important occasion not only for the quality of the contributions, but also because it placed an essential question at the centre: how can traditional knowledge move through the present without losing authenticity? From there, a concrete dialogue developed between craftsmanship, design, technological innovation and cultural tourism. The discussion highlighted how the value of traditional occupations today also lies in their ability to generate new narratives, new functions and new experiences.
In the following days, Matera also hosted the international Partnership Meeting, which brought together the six project partners. This moment had a very practical value: coordinating activities and consolidating a shared vision between Italy and Greece around a common challenge.
Framing the days in Matera was also the press conference held on 17 April at HubOut, attended by the Communication Officer of the Joint Secretariat, Maristella Mantuano. The public dimension of this step is significant: M.A.R.K.A.T.O. does not concern only sector professionals, but also institutions, cultural operators, creative enterprises, local communities and younger generations.
The next steps will be decisive. Work will focus on mapping traditional occupations in the involved areas, directly engaging artisans through a shared methodology, and developing the project’s communication and identity tools. These actions will be accompanied by training activities and transnational mobility opportunities.
