From the 4th to the 8th of April, the city of Prato will play host to the 3rd edition of the TIPO Festival – The Industrial Tourism Prato Festival, an engaging multi-sites event dedicated to the rich tapestry of the region’s industrial tourism, specifically highlighting the profound stories, culture, and contemporary significance of Prato’s textile industry. This immersive experience invites participants to delve into the industrial heritage of Europe’s largest textile district through a variety of activities that include guided factory tours, industrial trekking itineraries, organizational visits, book presentations, exhibitions, textile art workshops, and informative conventions. Attendees are promised an array of innovative, intellectually stimulating, and enjoyable events designed to explore and appreciate Prato’s industrial sites. Over the span of five days, guests will engage in a comprehensive exploration of the vibrant reality of Prato, renowned for its remarkable history in textile recycling and the enduring presence of historical companies, where visitors can observe firsthand the journey from discarded rags to regenerated fabrics, showcasing a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation.
The TIPO Festival will also feature visits to repurposed factories, photographic exhibitions, creative fashion workshops, and engaging activities for children, all related to contemporary art.
A significant highlight of this year’s festival will be the unveiling of the Experience Prato Industrial Culture – EPIC Project, an initiative aimed at enhancing the experience of Prato’s industrial culture, which has received approval under the EUI European Urban Initiative call, with the Municipality of Prato serving as the Lead Partner alongside nine other public and private entities.
Additionally, the program will include a national conference scheduled for Saturday, April 5th, focusing on the current state of tourism and aimed at industry professionals; this conference will position Prato as a collaborative environment for discussing new practices in tourism, such as industrial tourism, the application of Artificial Intelligence, and the integration of cutting-edge digital technologies to better highlight the region’s offerings, all in pursuit of creating a more sustainable and appealing tourist experience that bridges memory and future aspirations.
The TIPO Festival will take place at several notable venues within Prato, including the Luigi Pecci Centre for Contemporary Art, the Museo del Tessuto di Prato, and the Lazzerini Library housed in the historic Campolmi Factory, which stands as the largest 19th-century industrial complex within the medieval walls of the city, now serving significant public interests. Additionally, events will be hosted at the former Anonima Calamai wool mill, a distinguished architectural work designed by Pierluigi Nervi, currently undergoing a comprehensive cultural recovery project.
The detailed programme of the festival is available below:
