A Pact for the Future of Craftsmanship: Scholarships to Support Ancient Trades

In an age where progress races forward and traditions risk fading into silence, there are still those who choose to pause, to look back, and to remember. They recognize in ancient crafts not just skills, but living heritage—something precious, to be cherished and passed on with devotion. 

It was in this spirit that the official ceremony took place for the awarding of scholarships tied to two advanced training programs: “Creation and Use of Venetian Glass Beads 2025” and “Lace-Making Mastery on the Island of Burano”. A deeply emotional gathering celebrating six young women—Emma, Alessandra, Giorgia, Deborah, and again Emma and Michela—who are now stepping into the delicate role of future artisans. We send them our warmest wishes as they step into the legacy of centuries-old craftsmanship with passion and hope. 

Behind this initiative stands the clear and passionate vision of The Place of Wonders Foundation, which has chosen to believe in the promise of these six women, and in the future of Venice itself, by investing in craftsmanship education. A future built slowly and skillfully, gesture by gesture, alongside true masters such as Alessia Fuga and Marisa Convento, and the Martina Vidal Venezia atelier, a living emblem of Burano’s timeless elegance. 

The training programs offer a holistic experience, blending hands-on practice with cultural and historical theory. More than teaching technique, they pass on sensibility, context, and respect for our roots. Thanks to the generous support of Relais & Châteaux Londra Palace Venezia and in collaboration with Venezia da Vivere, the second edition of the “Mano a Mano” project will guide these young women through four transformative months of artisanal formation. 

This initiative is more than an educational effort—it is an act of love toward Venice, its soul, and its legacy. To preserve traditional crafts is not merely to look back, but to allow the past to breathe, to inspire, and to evolve through fresh eyes and skilled hands. It means choosing beauty as a calling, patience as a process, and tradition as a path forward.