A special edition for the 20th anniversary of the Trento Festival of Economics

Double celebration this year for the 20th anniversary of the Trento Festival of Economics and the 160th anniversary of Il Sole 24 Ore. An added value for the 2025 edition of the event, held in the Trentino capital from 22-25 May 2025, under the theme "Fatal risks and choices. Europe at the crossroads”. A rather fitting title, which will guide more than 300 events featuring guests from around the world, including 6 Nobel Laureates, 16 ministers, 107 speakers from academia, and 45 national and international economists. There is great anticipation surrounding the 20th edition, unveiled on Wednesday, April 2 in Milan at the Mudec headquarters, on the very same day the announcement on the U.S. tariff policy was made.

A capacity for “foresight" emphasized by many of the speakers, starting with the President of the Autonomous Province of Trento, who kicked off the presentation moderated by journalists Giampaolo Pedrotti and Rosalba Reggio. Province President Maurizio Fugatti cited the special attention and anticipation generated by an event now marking its 20th year. A milestone - said the President - celebrated with pride by the Trentino region, for an event that has, over the years, managed to capture economic events, renew its identity, and find new momentum - always with an eye to the future. The President then recalled how the theme for 2025, chosen six months ago, is particularly relevant today, for a new edition that will once again allow Trentino - a small land of autonomy and mountains - to reaffirm its status as the capital of the international economy.

Fabio Tamburini, editor-in-chief of Il Sole 24 Ore, director of Radiocor and Radio 24 and President of the Festival's Scientific Committee, highlighted the value of the event: "The figures speak volumes - last year we welcomed 40 thousand people to Trento over 4 days, mostly young attendees, with 85% of the halls packed, and a rock-solid organization that will once again set the standard this year”. He added that "teamwork was essential, including the choice of the title, the result of the collective work of the scientific committee and advisory board". Tamburini continued, "We believe in dialogue - in constructive debate - which is essential to democracy. Ours is a contribution to knowledge, because only with knowledge can we make informed choices. The Trento Festival of Economics has undoubtedly become an event of national relevance and part of the international debate”.

"The Trento Festival of Economics - says Federico Silvestri, GM Media & Business of 24 ORE Group - represents more than just a feather in the cap for our Group, which turns 160 this year. We embarked on this journey from the very first edition to which we contributed, with full commitment, convinced that we could make a meaningful contribution. Today we all feel a bit like Trentino locals, thanks to the extraordinary synergy created within the Festival team, among local stakeholders, the community, and everyone working at Il Sole 24 Ore. The event has become an increasingly valuable component of our publishing initiatives”.

Trento Mayor Franco Ianeselli also emphasized the significance of the Festival’s current approach, which pays close attention to the dynamics of geopolitics and international economy as they intersect with the local and urban context. A city, as the mayor of Trento pointed out, is defined by being a place where diverse people and opinions come together. Confrontation is essential, the mayor continued, because democracy is not only about voting - it means engaging with the issues, understanding them, and debating them. The mayor then echoed what was said in a previous edition by the President of the Province, who had described the Festival as a popular Davos. The ambition, the mayor concluded, is not to create an elite event but one that is open to all and for all - a moment to reinvigorate our democracy.

The importance of dialogue and the “courage of choices" was also emphasized by the Rector of the University of Trento, Flavio Deflorian: "Just as the economic and political worlds are grappling with tough decisions, so too is the academic sphere - from American universities to institutions elsewhere -  as they confront mounting threats to academic freedom. It takes courage to safeguard independent, uncompromised research and to nurture a diversity of viewpoints. Just as it takes courage to make decisions in times of crisis. And on this point - reflecting on the Festival's theme - Europe appears less at a crossroads and more stuck in a roundabout, unable to choose a way forward. Academia can help provide answers in this international context. And in educating students, it teaches them to think freely, remain open to others’ views, and to avoid missteps wherever possible. But most importantly, to find the courage to make choices. As a university, we have a responsibility to send a signal in this direction”.

Trentino Marketing President Giovanni Battaiola highlighted the success of the Trento Festival of Economics and the strength of a region that believes in its offering of events and hospitality. Trentino - this is the message - has become the land of festivals not by chance, but thanks to its ability to act as an organized territory, seamlessly integrated with all partners and able to enhance the “good seasons”, beyond the traditional tourism periods, to offer consistently genuine hospitality and allow guests to experience the area’s full potential - from culture to food and wine. Tourism, he concluded, is a time for connection and lightness, and it is in this spirit that the Festival of Economics allows everyone to reflect on today’s most pressing issues.

Maurizio Rossini, managing director of Trentino Marketing, also reaffirmed the focus on younger generations: “We’re working to shape a Festival of Economics that increasingly encourages moments of exchange and dialogue for all - but especially for young people - with the aim not just of drawing strong student attendance, but of fostering their active involvement through questions and contributions. The Festival takes place in Trento for a reason: our province has long been a borderland - and thus a space for encounter, exchange, dialogue, and innovation, including on the institutional front. This year the Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary, and to mark this important milestone, among the many initiatives, I highlight the exhibition ’20 anni di Sguardi sul mondo’. We also have a new website, and once again this year there will be a strong emphasis on sustainability. All of Trentino rallies around its Festival in a proactive way - a big thanks to the Trentino organizations that participate, organize, and make this major event possible, as well as to the entire 24 ORE Group team”.

At the end of the speeches, the second part of the presentation was dedicated to outlining the programs for Festival 2025 and Fuori Festival, presented by Tamburini and Silvestri, respectively.