The 40th edition of Cersaie, the renowned international exhibition for ceramics and bathroom furnishings, recently concluded, leaving in its wake a trail of excitement and innovation. With almost 100,000 visitors and over 47,000 international attendees, Cersaie 2023 exceeded all expectations. In this blog article, we’ll dive into the highlights of this year’s event, explore the latest trends, and reflect on the significance of Cersaie in the world of architecture and interior design.
Cersaie 2023: A Grand Start
The 40th edition of Cersaie kicked off with a bang at the BolognaFiere, and it was nothing short of spectacular. Spanning over 145,000 square meters of exhibition space, the event featured 634 exhibitors from 27 different countries, with 39% of them being international participants. The anticipation was high, with expectations of reaching 100,000 visitors, showcasing the resilience of the ceramic industry in the face of rising interest rates and energy sector instability.
Giovanni Savorani, president of Confindustria Ceramica, emphasized the need for investments in infrastructure, industry 4.0, and energy supply to keep the Italian ceramic sector robust. These factors were discussed with government officials, including a video message from Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin. In addition to these crucial aspects, the focus remained on product quality and expanding into new markets.
Route 40: A Journey Through Four Decades of Innovation
As part of the 40th-anniversary celebration, Cersaie introduced “Route 40,” an exhibition path that revisited the four decades of its evolution. This immersive experience took visitors through the key moments of these four decades, highlighting the cultural, social, design, and production transformations. From the Quadriportico to Galleria 21-22, 25-26, and the Mall of Pavilion 37, Route 40 showcased the evolution of the industry.
Exploring Ceramic Trends at Cersaie 2023
One of the most anticipated aspects of Cersaie is the unveiling of the latest trends in ceramics and bathroom furnishings. This year’s trends are influenced by a vibrant and nostalgic pop culture of the ’90s. Polychromatic marbles that dare to be bold, intense solid colors, and geometric textures reminiscent of the effects of weathering on materials were among the highlights.
Innovative combinations, such as the juxtaposition of precious majolica finishes with rugged cement, quartzites meeting fossilized woods, and glazed surfaces paired with rough ones, showcase the industry’s creativity. The color palette ranges from cool grays to rusty tones, with olive green, pink, and yellow reminiscent of the sun, earth, and spices. Notably, Pantone’s lively “apricot crush” hints at the upcoming trend for the next year.
New formats were also on display, including small-format bricks, hexagonal reinterpretations of cement tiles, and the intriguing “Kit Kat” tiles composed of elongated pieces. Column washbasins, both angular and cylindrical, and decorative ceramic wall coverings reminiscent of brocades added to the variety. The revival of terracotta was another highlight, with modern installation techniques that allow for outdoor use.
Ceramics of Italy Journalism Award 2023
The Cersaie experience concluded with the prestigious Ceramics of Italy Journalism Award 2023. Anna Kolomiyets, the director of the Ukrainian web magazine Project from Italy, was honored with this esteemed award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to the industry.
Cersaie 2023 proved to be a remarkable celebration of ceramics and bathroom trends, showcasing the industry’s resilience, creativity, and commitment to innovation. As we reflect on the event’s success, it’s clear that Cersaie continues to be a vital platform for architects, designers, and industry professionals to explore the latest advancements and envision the future of interior design.
