DESCRIPTION

MAM – Maestro d’Arte e Mestiere, promoted by the Cologni Foundation for the Métiers d’Art in partnership with ALMA, the International School of Italian Cuisine, is a unique award for Italian excellent artisans operating in the various sectors of artistic craftsmanship.
The aim of this initiative, that will be held every two years (second edition in 2018), is to celebrate the extraordinary work of some of the leading figures in Italian high quality craftsmanship, bringing them to the attention of the general public and the media. The first edition in 2016 marks the launch of a symbolic Libro d’Oro, or Golden Book, for Italian Artisanal Excellence, heralding the first 75 MAM – Masters of Arts and Crafts, who have distinguished themselves by their particular professional achievements and work to disseminate their skills and knowledge.

While often hidden from the public eye, the know-how, passion and human worth of the great masters make Italy great and constitute one of its most important assets: an artistic, cultural and economic goldmine recognised and coveted the world over. Thus, it is essential to protect and promote these unique skills, which form such a key part of the Italian heritage. The knowledge and extraordinary skills of the master craftsmen passed down through the generations are not lost but rather are collated and updated thanks to the culture of the project and the sensitive use of new technologies.

President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, presented MAM – Maestro d’Arte e Mestiere with a special commemorative plaque, an honour that gives extraordinary recognition to the talent of Italy’s great artistic craftsmen.

Photo credit: Peter Elovich