Dear project design and innovation enthusiasts,
We are thrilled to begin delving into the second edition of the European Projects Festival, the event that will transform Ferrara into the European capital of design from May 14th to 16th, 2025. An unmissable event that will celebrate creativity, collaboration, and the future of design in all its forms.
To fully understand the spirit that drives the Festival, we are pleased to share with you an exclusive interview with Alexandra Storari, President of Officine Europa and creator of this extraordinary initiative.
Alexandra, what does the European Projects Festival represent for you?
"The European Projects Festival is a dream come true, an incubator of ideas and a catalyst for synergies. It is the realization of a journey that began many years ago, when I started working in the field of European project design, in Italy and in Brussels. I have always believed in the transformative power of projects, in their ability to generate a positive impact on the territory and on people's lives. The Festival aims to be a meeting point, a place of exchange and inspiration for all those who share this vision."
How has your passion for European projects evolved?
"My journey has been a crescendo of experiences, full of challenges and great satisfactions. From the first steps as a consultant, to the founding of Office Europa, my passion for European project design has been consolidated. I have always felt like a bridge between the available funding, the needs of the territory, and the talents that could translate opportunities into reality. I have had the opportunity to design, coordinate and report on many beautiful proposals, especially in the field of culture and creativity, education and active citizenship. Thanks to this work, I have broadened my mind, getting to know people from all European countries. This has fueled my belief that collaboration is the key to a better future."
What prompted you to create a festival dedicated to this very theme?
"Over the years, I have witnessed a real explosion of creativity in the field of design. Innovative projects, international collaborations, and ingenious solutions to complex problems have multiplied. I felt the need to create a stage for all these excellences, a place where they could be celebrated and made known to a wider audience. The European Projects Festival wants to be just that: a showcase for the most brilliant projects, an opportunity to share best practices, to stimulate new ideas and to create new partnerships."
Why Ferrara as the venue for this important event?
"Ferrara is first and foremost my hometown. It has been defined as the first modern city in Europe thanks to its urban plan. Its history, its culture, its beauty make it the ideal place to host an international event like this. The Festival wants to represent an opportunity to further enhance the heritage of this city, to create new development opportunities, to make citizens and young people aware of what Europe really is, beyond stereotypes and false myths. For three days, Ferrara will be at the center of the European debate on design, welcoming professionals, experts, innovators and citizens from all over Europe. It will be a widespread Festival to discover the potential of this city and to contribute to building a more sustainable and inclusive future. Our will is to leave a tangible mark on the territory, through a networking action capable of supporting growth and transformation."
What are the novelties of this year and what will be the main contents?
"This year the festival will be articulated around the theme "Ideas Taking Shape". A title that encompasses the essence of this edition: to celebrate the moment in which ideas take shape, materialize into tangible projects and, at the same time, generate a positive impact. The Festival will develop in three thematic paths:
"Future": An exploration of emerging trends, cutting-edge technologies and visions that are shaping our tomorrow. In this path, we will investigate how design can anticipate future challenges and contribute to building desirable scenarios.
"Resilience": A focus on the capacity for adaptation, response to crises and regeneration of social, economic and environmental systems. We will explore how design can contribute to building more resilient communities, able to face current challenges and socio-economic transformations.
"Unity": A path dedicated to social cohesion, intercultural dialogue and the construction of bridges between different actors, at a local, European and global level. We will explore the role of design in promoting mutual understanding, collaboration and the creation of a sense of shared belonging.
During each day of the Festival, each path will be declined through 1 plenary session with 1 internationally renowned speaker, 3 thematic panels and 6 interactive workshops that will address essential themes such as: Human Rights, Skills and Culture & Creativity.
Following the scheme of last year, the Festival will be divided into sections: FORUM: appointments with experts; FAIR: space for networking; FEST: events and shows; FOOD: dinners and convivial moments of networking".
What do you expect from this second edition of the Festival?
"I expect it to be an explosion of energy, ideas, and enthusiasm. I expect it to be a moment of comparison and growth for all participants. And I expect it to be just the beginning of a long and extraordinary journey, which will lead the European Projects Festival to become an essential reference point for the world of European design, a catalyst for change, a laboratory of the future that contributes to creating a more united, more innovative and closer to citizens Europe".
We are waiting for you in Ferrara from 14 to 16 May 2025!
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