2025

On Friday 5 December, Mondadori Store, Italy’s largest bookstore network, will open a new Mondadori Bookstore | MA inside the Jambo1 Shopping Centre in Trentola Ducenta, in the province of Caserta.

With this new opening, Mondadori Store further strengthens its network of directly managed bookstores. The expansion follows the completion, effective from 1 December, of Mondadori Retail’s acquisition of 51% of MA Retail, which owns ten Mondadori Bookstore | MA-branded stores – now joined by this new location in Campania.

“By integrating the Mondadori Bookstore | MA stores into the Mondadori Store network, we are strengthening and diversifying our presence, combining a format that enriches our market positioning with an innovative and complementary offering. The opening of the bookstore in the JAMBO1 Shopping Centre marks the first milestone in this new phase, in which the MA concept becomes part of our network while maintaining its distinctive identity. It is a contemporary, sustainable model, highly appreciated by readers, and now an integral part of our growth strategy, making our presence across the country even more widespread, diverse and substantial,” said Mauro Magrì, Sales and Development Director for Directly Managed Bookstores at Mondadori Retail.

“The acquisition of the MA bookstores by Mondadori Retail within the new MA Retail structure marks the beginning of a new phase of development for the MA concept, which can now rely on the strength and vision of a major group. Seeing an MA bookstore open in the JAMBO1 Shopping Centre as part of this new corporate framework is a source of great pride: it means carrying forward the MA DNA – sustainability, contemporaneity and reader focus – within a broader network that enhances its full potential. We are delighted to contribute to this shared journey, which allows this innovative format to grow while preserving its uniqueness,” said Antonio Serpe, CEO of MA Retail.

The Mondadori Bookstore | MA stores draw inspiration from the philosophical Japanese concept of MA: an undefined space between sky and earth where one can clear the mind and nourish the soul. In keeping with these principles, the bookstore becomes a space devoted to personal wellbeing, a place to step away from the frenzy of daily life and focus on mental balance – offering a new way of creating and sharing culture.

The format is characterised by a green, eco-friendly approach: from the materials used – marine poplar, recycled iron and sustainable water-based paints – to the design itself, with tall curved furnishings that recall tree trunks, bonsai and sansevierias, shaping the 240-square-metre space. Readers will also find a reading hub and a forum designed to host events, presentations and book signings, as well as an area set up as a photographic gallery for exhibitions.

The new Mondadori Bookstore | MA in the Jambo1 Shopping Centre in Trentola Ducenta, Caserta, offers a selection of around 16,000 titles, from timeless classics to bestsellers, spanning fiction, non-fiction, crime and more. Dedicated areas for young readers include interactive books, educational games and illustrated stories; a new corner for romance lovers; spaces focused on manga and comics, appealing especially to Generation Z; and a wide range of stationery products.

Mondadori Store is the largest network of bookstores in Italy, with over 500 locations spread across major cities and smaller towns. They serve as cultural hubs throughout the country, operating under the Mondadori Bookstore brand through both directly managed stores and franchises, as well as through the company-owned bookstores Mondadori Bookstore | MA, Mondadori Duomo, and Rizzoli Milano.

Mondadori Store is also active online through the e-commerce website Mondadoristore.it and its bookclub program.

MONDADORI BOOKSTORE | MA
Jambo1 Shopping Centre

Address: Provincial Road Trentola Parete, 81038 Trentola Ducenta (CE)
Opening hours: Mon – Sun 9.00 – 21.00
Phone: 081 17563589
Email: jambo@mabooks.it
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https://www.mondadoristore.it/negozi

Some people sing to entertain, others sing to break down doors locked tight. And then there’s BigMama.

Marianna Mammone, known as BigMama, will speak candidly today on camera for Scomode, the interview format from the digital women’s magazine The Wom, which gives a voice to those determined to challenge prejudices and addresses the hottest topics in contemporary women’s life with authoritative women who resonate with the community.

The 25-year-old Italian rapper and singer-songwriter, champion of authenticity, will share never-before-heard stories from her life with spontaneity, sensitivity, and intimacy.
During the interview, BigMama will discuss bullying, insecurity, vulnerability, and how she has transformed the most profound experiences of her life into strength, awareness, and music – a personal story that encourages opening up to others and not being afraid to show who you truly are.

This episode highlights the importance of listening, starting with the youngest, and the necessity of asking for help when needed. It portrays anger as a legitimate emotion to acknowledge and release, and music as a tool to channel it, celebrating vulnerability, sensitivity, and empathy as valuable resources that can make us feel better and less alone.

“My advice to parents is to approach their children with an open ear, to listen to what they have to say, and help them when necessary. […] I think this kind of attention is essential because it can literally save a person’s outlook on life.” When asked, “What would you say to the little girl you were?” BigMama responds with advice that applies to all young people: “Keeping everything inside doesn’t help at all; it just overwhelms you with emotions.”

BigMama’s artistic power stems precisely from this: emotions and anger become living material in her lyrics and songs, erupting fully when she performs. “On stage, I have the courage to say things I don’t in everyday life,” she explains, “and music has been the way to channel the anger from my mind to the microphone.”
“My work – my artistic project, my music – also helps me stop hiding that inner vulnerability. I’ve learned that exposing myself honestly makes me feel better. Talking about what I feel, connecting with others, and then finding people who say, “You know, I feel that way too,’ makes me feel less alone.” BigMama shared.

The Scomode interview with BigMama can be followed starting today, 3 December, at 6:00 p.m. on The Wom’s social media profiles.

• Instagram
• Facebook:
• YouTube
• Spotify

In a world that wants us to be “comfortable,” silent, and conformist, BigMama and host Valentina Lonati, Culture Editor of The Wom, will engage in a constructive conversation about what it truly means to be uncomfortable today: the suffocating constraints of provincial life, the art of being a nuisance, illness, and rebirth.

You can watch the trailer for the BigMama interview by clicking this link.

SCOMODE, THE CULT FORMAT OF THE WOM

Hosted by Valentina Lonati, Culture Editor of The Wom, Scomode was created to offer unfiltered, open spaces where authentic words and deep conversations can emerge on underrepresented topics in women’s lives. The discussions feature well-known figures who can provide comfort, motivation, and inspiration. It’s not just a vodcast: it’s a safe space where taboos are dismantled piece by piece, allowing new awareness to surface, and its guests serve as role models to look up to.

The format premiered on 4 November with Giorgia Soleri, the activist and writer who has long fought against stereotypes surrounding mental health, invisible illnesses, body image, and relationships. The debut was remarkable: the first episode garnered 4 million organic views on Instagram, demonstrating a strong demand for depth, authenticity, and identification among young millennials and Gen Z.

The Wom is Italy’s leading social magazine for women, dedicated to younger generations and real-life stories that promote self-acceptance. It is a reference point for young women on Instagram, with a total fanbase of over 10 million followers, and reaches more than 9 million unique users per month across web and social channels (Comscore Social Incremental Reach, average of the last 3 months). In 2023, The Wom was awarded “Best Web Article” at the Diversity Media Awards, and in 2025, together with Gruppo Mondadori, it received the Special Advisory Board Award “Assolombarda for Social Impact.”

Mondadori Store, the largest network of bookshops in Italy, is getting ready to celebrate Christmas by transforming its spaces throughout the entire month of December into even more welcoming places, filled with light, emotion, solidarity and magic.

CHRISTMAS ELVES

Until 6 January, the bookshops in the Mondadori Store network will be transformed by a warm and playful festive atmosphere, with a completely renewed Christmas layout. A colourful, fairytale-inspired “family” of elves will welcome visitors among the shelves and window displays, accompanied by dedicated decorations and gift-wrapping materials.
The visual identity, designed by the agency Altavia Italia with illustrations by Chiara Fajella, reinterprets traditional Christmas imagery through a fresh, vintage-flavoured lens.
At the heart of this world are the elves, who interact with books in an enchanting, imaginative setting, inviting adults and children alike to rediscover the pleasure of spending time together and to let themselves be carried away by the magic of stories.

A SPECIAL FESTIVE GIFT: INTRODUCING LUMIVERSO

For the Christmas season returns Mondadori Store’s major holiday campaign, featuring a new exclusive gift: Lumiverso, the magical book that turns into a lamp to illuminate your favourite stories. Its decorative elements combine emotion, constellations and imagination, recalling the refinement of antique books while adding a contemporary touch. A unique gift created to celebrate the power of imagination and to make the wait for Christmas shine even brighter. Lumiverso is available from 1 to 24 December with the purchase of at least three Mondadori Group books, both in participating stores and on mondadoristore.it.

INITIATIVES AT MONDADORI DUOMO

Mondadori Duomo is also preparing for Christmas with a rich programme of special initiatives and events. From 9 to 22 December, the Milan bookstore will host a dedicated Mattel pop-up store, designed for fans of toys and of some of the most iconic stories ever created.
With this new shop-in-shop, Mattel celebrates its 80th anniversary through an immersive space dedicated to adults who have never stopped playing. An experience inspired by the concept “Never Too Old to Play”, inviting visitors to discover the Mattel universe through its most iconic collections – including Barbie Signature, Hot Wheels Premium, the new Mattel Brick Shop and Mattel Games, along with many other surprises. The space will also feature special activities and irresistible photo opportunities.

A family day dedicated to Christmas

Mondadori Duomo is also organising a special family day to get ready for Christmas. On Sunday 14 December, adults and children are invited to take part in a series of events with authors, books and a very special guest: from 11 a.m. and throughout the day, little Elf Giulia will be wandering among the shelves to chat with the youngest visitors and collect all their letters for Santa Claus in a very special postbox, destined straight for the North Pole.

At 11 a.m. there will also be readings of excerpts from Sulla slitta con Babbo Natale (Emme Edizioni) and Le più belle storie di Gianni Rodari (Einaudi Ragazzi), read by Mondadori Duomo bookseller Silvia Neri, highlighting the close relationship between the bookshop and its community.

At 11.30 a.m., the book Chi ti ha detto che Babbo Natale non esiste? (Edizioni Piemme) will be presented with the author Vernante Pallotti and illustrator Giada Carboni.  After the reading and games, there will be a signing session with plenty of personalised drawings.

To celebrate the approaching Christmas season, at 4 p.m. a spectacular concert will take place inside the bookshop – featuring the most beloved Christmas songs, reminding us what Christmas is and how powerful its magic can be – performed by the Piccoli Cantori di Milano choir, directed and curated by Laura Marcora.

Finally, from 5 p.m., in the children’s and young readers’ area, little Elf Giulia will read a story to everyone present so they can prepare together for the arrival of Christmas.

MONDADORI STORE FOR STILL I RISE: TOGETHER AT CHRISTMAS TO BUILD THE FUTURE

As every year, Christmas at Mondadori Store will also be an opportunity for solidarity, with a special charity gift-wrapping campaign supporting, for the first time, Still I Rise, the non-profit organisation that provides high-quality education to refugee and vulnerable children around the world.
From 5 to 24 December, in more than 50 Mondadori bookshops across over 40 Italian cities, volunteers and staff from Still I Rise will be in store to wrap Christmas gifts and collect donations. A simple gesture that becomes real support: the proceeds from the initiative will contribute to the creation of the very first Still I Rise International School in Italy.
The collaboration with Still I Rise is part of Mondadori Store’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to culture and creating new opportunities for growth through books, offering educational prospects even to those living in challenging contexts.

Mondadori Store represents the largest network of bookstores in Italy, with over 500 locations across both major cities and smaller towns. It acts as an active cultural hub nationwide, both in-store and online via Mondadoristore.it and the Bookclub formula, offering not only books at the centre of its offering but also entertainment experiences, events, and multichannel services, reaching over 20 million customers every year.

On Saturday 6 December the Taranto’s Mondadori Bookstore will reopen its doors in the heart of the city, offering the public a completely refurbished space dedicated to books and entertainment.

The store covers an area of 350 square metres and features a modern, refreshed layout. Customers will be welcomed by a team of expert booksellers and a catalogue of 25,000 titles, from timeless classics to bestsellers across fiction and general non-fiction.

“Thanks to the restyling it has undergone, the bookshop reaffirms its role as a key cultural hub for the city,” says Carmine Fucci, a Mondadori Store affiliate who has turned his passion for books into his profession for more than twenty years. “Our aim is to offer an immersive, participatory experience: not just a place to buy books, but a space for connection, listening and vision – a place where opportunities for interaction, discovery and encounter can take shape,” Fucci concludes.

The bookshop is spread over two floors and hosts all the latest releases and main thematic areas designed to meet everyone’s tastes. These include We are Junior, the space for younger readers, featuring educational games and illustrated books to spark their imagination through fun and curious stories; Just Comics, the area dedicated to the world of manga and comics; My New Romance, the new corner for lovers of the romance universe, one of today’s most popular literary genres; and a section devoted to books in their original language. There is also a wide selection of stationery, toys, gadgets and gift cards. The bookstore also includes an events area designed as a meeting place for readers, hosting events, book presentations and photography exhibitions.

The Mondadori Bookstore in Taranto also serves its customers online: readers can stay up to date via the store’sInstagram and Facebook pages. They can also connect with the bookshop using Mondadoristore.it digital services to check the availability of a book, order it, collect it in store or have it delivered to their home.

Mondadori Store represents the largest network of bookstores in Italy, with over 500 locations across both major cities and smaller towns. It acts as an active cultural hub nationwide, both in-store and online via Mondadoristore.it and the Bookclub formula, offering not only books at the centre of its offering but also entertainment experiences, events, and multichannel services, reaching over 20 million customers every year.

MONDADORI BOOKSTORE

Address: Via Giuseppe de Cesare 35, 74123, Taranto, TA
Opening hours: Mon – Sun 9.00 – 00.00

Telephone: 099.4591661 / 393.8685158 (for booking service via Whatsapp)
E-mail: info@mondadoristoretaranto.com

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Rizzoli Education, a school publisher long committed to delivering high-quality educational content and innovative learning tools, presents PariPasso, a new project dedicated to inclusion and to teaching and learning practices built around inclusive education. The initiative is deeply rooted in the company’s history and identity, and it takes shape across content, activities, study methods and teaching approaches promoted by the publisher.

“PariPasso (literally “step by step together,” evoking the idea of moving forward at the same pace, side by side) builds on an established editorial practice that places the principle of inclusion at the centre of our work and draws inspiration from it in both our publishing and our training programmes, as shown by the work carried out on gender equality,” says Annalisa Aceti, General Manager Sales & Marketing of Rizzoli Education. We chose to integrate inclusion into every phase of the editorial process, not as a separate project but as a transversal benchmark of quality. From 2026 onwards, PariPasso will guide all new titles for primary and lower-secondary school, offering a concrete, systematic response to the challenges of inclusion. This commitment translates into books, digital resources, teaching tools and training pathways. The name PariPasso evokes collaboration, recognising that learning is a shared journey. Walking “a pari passo” with schools means supporting teachers, students and families in pursuing a common goal: building a school that is truly fair, innovative and capable of valuing uniqueness as a resource.”

Validated by a scientific committee of leading experts, ,PariPasso is grounded in several key principles:the design of teaching tools tailored to different cognitive styles and learning rhythms; the adoption of personalised and meaningful teaching and learning practices, including digital content and tools; the enhancement of every learner, ensuring that each student can achieve educational success; and the promotion of teaching deeply connected to active, critical and responsible citizenship.

THE PARIPASSO MANIFESTO

This policy brings together the core values of the project in a single declaration of intent, articulated through its main guidelines and objectives:

• there is no such thing as inclusive teaching separate from “traditional” teaching
• a personalised and universal pedagogical approach
• personalising teaching to achieve solid and long-lasting learning
• inclusive teaching as a context that promotes educational relationships
• “essential knowledge,” but also depth and dialogue between disciplines
• promoting reflection on methods and processes
• technology and teaching innovation as allies of inclusion
• inclusion as a shared objective
• school inclusion and social inclusion

“In Italian schools today,” says Aaron Buttarelli, General Manager Editorial Area of Rizzoli Education, “teaching based on an inclusive approach is guaranteed at a regulatory level, but everyday practice is much more complicated, given the strong differentiation and heterogeneity found in classrooms. PariPasso was created to promote, support and encourage a culture of inclusion. By its nature, it is an open and continually updated path. The principles stated in the Manifesto will be the guide we will follow in the design and implementation of all our educational activities in the broadest sense, for teachers and students, starting with school textbooks.”

THE SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

PariPasso is an inclusion project with a solid scientific foundation, validated by a committee of experts who share the guidelines and supervise the quality of the project, ensuring its effectiveness and consistency with educational goals.

The committee includes Giorgia Ortu La Barbera (psychologist), Roberto Trinchero (Professor of Experimental Pedagogy at the Department of Philosophy and Education Sciences, University of Turin), Fondazione Bullone, Centro Leonardo, and Fondazione Mondo Digitale ETS.

The members of the Committee will take part in live and in-person training events organised by the publishing house, bringing their voice and field experience while offering insights, in-depth analysis and strategies on specific topics related to inclusion.

ACTIONS

PariPasso will find clear and visible application first of all in Rizzoli Education textbooks and, over time, will provide a set of services and content to support all components of the school community: communicative and didactic accessibility of all content, continuing specialised training for teachers on the project’s themes, livestreams and more than 30 events across the country between February and April, articles and best-practice features on the publisher’s website to address the topic at school, content on the digital learning platform HUB Scuola, contests and podcasts.

For more information on the content of PariPasso, visit www.rizzolieducation.it/paripasso

Rizzoli Education, the Mondadori Group’s schoolbook publisher, offers a comprehensive range of books for all levels of education, from primary school to middle and high school.

Palazzo Niemeyer, a masterpiece by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer (1907–2012) and the headquarters of the Mondadori Group since 1975, has undergone a major renovation, including interior refurbishment and redevelopment.

Two key concepts guided the design of the project: identity and coherence. The goal was to enhance the building, in Segrate, on the outskirts of Milan, while respecting the distinctive character of Niemeyer’s work, reinterpreting it in a contemporary way through innovative, functional and sustainable solutions that strengthen the collaborative nature of the open space areas that were part of the original project.

“The redevelopment of Palazzo Niemeyer has been an important opportunity to give new life to, and celebrate fifty years after its inauguration, a place that is an integral part of our identity and our history, as well as an example of architecture of international relevance,” said Antonio Porro, CEO of the Mondadori Group. “This significant intervention has allowed us to make our headquarters even more efficient, sustainable and inclusive. It is a new working environment that reflects the values we embrace every day: openness, innovation and care for people,” Porro concluded.

The works, which covered a total area of more than 20,000 square meters, were carried out by Generali Real Estate – owner of the building through the Mascagni fund managed by Generali Real Estate SGR – together with the Mondadori Group.

“Palazzo Niemeyer is one of the most well-known and iconic buildings in Generali’s real estate portfolio. We are proud to have completed a high-quality project that has renewed the contemporary value of the building, bringing it in line with a more modern and flexible approach to workplaces and with new technological and energy solutions, while preserving its unique historical and architectural identity. I would like to thank our team, who brought expertise and passion to this important project,” said Benedetto Giustiniani, Head of Southern Europe Region at Generali Real Estate.

This major redevelopment project was designed by the international architecture firm CRA Carlo Ratti Associati, under the creative direction of Carlo Ratti, founding partner and curator of the 2025 Architecture Biennale, in collaboration with Italo Rota (1953–2024), one of the most influential interpreters of Italian architecture.

Their vision led to a radical reinterpretation of the office layout, addressing the needs that have emerged in recent years for coexistence between in-person work and flexibility.

The spaces have been completely redesigned with new open space workstations that further encourage creativity and collaboration among colleagues, alongside shared areas, concentration zones and social spaces. The result is an open, fluid environment filled with greenery and in constant dialogue with the surrounding landscape.

«​“To step outside the comfort zone of Zoom calls, we must redesign the office as a space that is worth the trip,” said Carlo Ratti, founding partner of CRA Carlo Ratti Associati. “Starting from Oscar Niemeyer’s iconic design and the USM furniture he selected, we dismantled and reassembled each piece in new configurations, integrating wood, recycled materials, nature and an exclusive selection of Italian design objects. The result? A catalog of environments, from open to more intimate, where everyone can find their comfort zone and where collaboration and innovation can truly flourish.

DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Launched in January 2023, the Palazzo Niemeyer redevelopment project is the result of collaboration between the Real Estate teams of the Mondadori Group, led by architect Chiara Capuzzi, Generali Real Estate, and the international studio CRA Carlo Ratti Associati.

The focus areas of the intervention were:

• The redesign of the interior layout across all five levels of the building, featuring flexible and multifunctional areas, open space workstations alternating with individual work zones, meeting rooms and phone booths equipped with the latest technologies, agoras, lounge areas, break spaces and service areas.
• Restoration and enhancement of the building’s original furniture, with the regeneration of more than 1,300 modules from Swiss manufacturer USM Haller, dismantled and reassembled, integrating wood and creating new types of furnishings.
• Special attention to natural light, acoustic comfort and visual continuity with the original park designed by landscape architect Pietro Porcinai, through solutions that help reduce environmental impact.
• The project also included upgrading and improving the energy efficiency of the systems according to energy-optimization criteria, eliminating the use of fossil fuels and making the building “Net Zero” in terms of CO2 emissions, with the goal of achieving LEED and WELL certifications.

Additional spaces have also been redeveloped in architectural continuity with the main building and Niemeyer’s original project, including the piazza facing Palazzo Niemeyer and the Centro Servizi, a circular structure overlooking the lake and park, which houses a café and a company restaurant. The restaurant has been made independently accessible, allowing more convenient and flexible use of the more than 5,000 square meters of multifunctional space.

Beyond Palazzo Niemeyer: redevelopment of the entire iconic campus

The drivers behind the redevelopment of Palazzo Niemeyer – employee wellbeing, environmental sustainability and energy efficiency – also guide the additional interventions planned across the rest of the iconic corporate campus. The aim of the redevelopment project initiated by Generali Real Estate is to further enhance the uniqueness of this green space on the edge of Milan, transforming it into a contemporary and sustainable workplace.

Between late 2025 and early 2026, work will focus primarily on Cascina Tregarezzo, a traditional Lombard rural farmhouse that has been expanded and redeveloped in a contemporary key. The integration of the historic building with glass structures and a steel portico has created a unique space where the charm of tradition is elevated by modern architecture. The current works, scheduled for completion in early 2026, aim at energy efficiency and decarbonization according to the highest standards (LEED certification is underway), as well as improving occupant wellbeing. The interior spaces, comprising about 4,000 square meters of offices over two floors, will also be made more flexible and accessible.

On Monday, November 24, the Mondadori Bookstore in Varese will reopen its doors, offering visitors a fully redesigned space dedicated to books and entertainment.

The new bookstore features a modern, completely reimagined layout, designed to be even more engaging and content-rich. Visitors will be welcomed by a team of expert booksellers and a catalog of 17,000 titles, ranging from classic literature to bestsellers, including fiction, non-fiction, and books in their original languages.

“The restyling of the Mondadori Bookstore in Varese is part of our ongoing plan to renovate and develop our bookstore network. Our goal is to provide the community with cultural hubs that are increasingly stimulating and capable of meeting the needs of the local area,” said Carmine Perna, CEO of Mondadori Retail.

The bookstore is spread across two levels. The ground floor hosts all the latest releases and thematic areas designed to appeal to every type of reader, including We are Junior, , a space for young readers with educational games and illustrated books to stimulate imagination; Just Comics, dedicated to manga and comics; My New Romance, a new corner for romance enthusiasts, one of the most popular literary genres today; as well as a wide selection of stationery, toys, gadgets, and gift cards. The basement level has been converted into a reading area with armchairs and tables for customers.

The Mondadori Bookstore in Varese also serves readers online. Customers can stay updated through Instagram and Facebook pages and use Mondadoristore.it to check book availability, place orders, choose in-store pickup, or have books delivered directly to their homes.

Mondadori Store represents the largest network of bookstores in Italy, with over 500 locations across both major cities and smaller towns. It acts as an active cultural hub nationwide, both in-store and online via Mondadoristore.it and the Bookclub formula, offering not only books at the centre of its offering but also entertainment experiences, events, and multichannel services, reaching over 20 million customers every year.

MONDADORI BOOKSTORE

Address: Via Morosini 10, 21100, Varese, VA
Hours: Mon–Sat 9 am-7:30 pm/Sun 10 am–7:30 pm

Telephone: 0332 285985
Email: libreria.varese@mondadori.it
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Focus Live, Focus magazine’s festival of knowledge, set a new record this year, attracting over 20,000 visitors across the three days of the event. This was the eighth consecutive edition, held in collaboration with the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology in Milan.

Demonstrating the success of the formula and the brand’s strength in the digital and social space, over 10 million users were reached – a significant increase compared to the 2024 edition – through posts, stories, and videos shared across the web, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. All content will remain available and will continue to be enriched with new material for both young and adult enthusiasts.

From Friday 7 to Sunday 9 November, Focus Live – Passione  featured 120 guest, including astronauts, scientists, Olympic champions, researchers, and science communicators, as well as comedians, singers, and chefs, who animated the Main Stage, Speakers’ Corner, Creators’ Corner, and the Kids Area curated by Focus Junior.

“Focus Live is proof that a passion for knowledge brings people together and breaks down all boundaries,” said Gian Mattia Bazzoli, Director of Focus. “It’s not just a festival; it’s a celebration of curiosity and a demonstration that science, when shared with passion, becomes a powerful driver of community. The real magic of this event is its ability to transform science communication, often experienced through a page or screen, into a tangible, shared, and often highly entertaining experience.”

All 100+ events sold out, making the eighth edition of the festival truly special. Talks, workshops, and shows across various scientific disciplines – linked by this year’s theme of passion – prompted participants to reflect on the fundamental role of science in shaping our future.

Contributing to the outstanding success of Focus Live were the leading figures from the worlds of science and beyond, who allowed attendees to experience the future firsthand, engage with the present of research, and rediscover the passion that drives science. Highlights included: ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, who opened the festival sharing her space passions and daily challenges; CERN physicist Guido Tonelli, discussing the concept of the void; journalist Beatrice Mautino; science communicator Massimo Temporelli; Luciano Pinotti and Enzo Spisni; Pierdomenico Perata from the Sant’Anna School of Pisa; scientist-criminologist Gian Maria Campedelli; Olympic gold medallist Mara Navarria in the team épée at Paris 2024; astrophysicist Amedeo Balbi; communicator Federico Taddia; neurosurgeon Christian Brogna; journalist and writer Matteo Bordone, who engaged in a playful challenge with ethologist Monica Battini; Elio e le Storie Tese; biotechnologist Marco Martinelli; and master chocolatier Ernst Knam. The lineup also included representatives from the Milano-Cortina 2026 Foundation and the Minister of Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin.

At Focus Live, science is not just watched or listened to: it’s experienced and done firsthand. The true heart of the Festival lies in the installations and workshops of the Experience Area, a multiverse of discovery where every corner promises a new adventure. This year too, Focus Live gave countless visitors the chance to travel into the past or dive into the future through virtual reality, escape rooms, and much more, experiencing firsthand how science and technology are shaping the world around us. The experiences in the Experience Area were made possible thanks to installations curated by exceptional partners such as ENI, Humanitas University, Scuola Sant’Anna, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Fondazione AIRC, Università Cattolica di Milano, and Politecnico di Torino.

For children and teenagers, the Kids Area curated by Focus Junior offered an even richer program: from workshops organized by Mondadori Education and Jordan Oral Care to drawing workshops, STEM activities, VR experiences from the Frasassi Caves, and a new “offline” play area to test skills with Kapla building blocks, chess, and origami, rediscovering the joy of analog play.

“We shared three wonderful days with the children at Focus Live, witnessing their natural curiosity and eagerness to experiment,” said Sarah Pozzoli, Director of Focus Junior. “The Focus Junior Kids Area team carefully selected the STEAM activities to offer. We are delighted to see that when the program is of high quality, the audience responds with great enthusiasm.”

On Friday and Saturday evenings, two thrilling shows entertained the audience: La scienza vista dal Basso, a quiz hosted by the irresistible Federico Basso that turned curious questions and scientific knowledge into a hilarious game blending education and laughter; and Murder at the Museum, where Massimo Polidoro guided the audience through the scene of a crime that took place among the halls of the Leonardo da Vinci Museum.” A captivating crime night showing how science, psychology, and the scientific method help investigators solve even the most complex cases. Two evenings, two different ways to experience science communication. Engaging, entertaining, and full of wonder.

The festival will close on Sunday at 6:30 pm with Luca Perri and Giacomo Moro Mauretto in La passione è un motore o un freno a mano?

Partners and sponsors

Focus Live is a Mondadori Media event, organised in collaboration with the National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci and numerous partners.

MAIN PARTNERS: Eni, Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security
PARTNERS: Bayer, Grotte di Frasassi, Humanitas University, Jordan Oral Care, Subito, Toyota Motor Italia
CONTENT PARTNER: AIRC Foundation for Cancer Research, Mondadori Education
OFFICIAL RADIO: R101
In collaboration with the Cultural Olympiad of Milan Cortina 2026
KIDS’ AREA powered by Focus Junior
With the patronage of the City of Milan

The advertising for Focus Live is managed by Piemme S.p.A., the exclusive sales agency for Focus and other Mondadori Media brands.

This edition of Focus Live is made possible through the collaboration and support of numerous institutions, research centres, and universities, including: ADMaiora, ASI, Business&Roads, European Gravitational Observatory (EGO), ESA, FBK, Human Technopole, IIT, INAF, Istituto Superiore Sant’Anna, JRC – Joint Research Centre, Kosmos, PLANit – Associazione dei Planetari Italiani, Politecnico di Torino, Smonting, Think About Science, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Università degli Studi di Milano, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, and Università degli Studi di Trieste.

The communication campaign and creative design of the event have been developed by Zampe Diverse, with production and organisational management by Left & Right.

AdKaora, the international digital Martech agency of the Mondadori Group and a leader in mobile advertising, proximity marketing, and full-funnel solutions for brands and publishers, has launched the white paper “Dal banco alla brand experience: il Retail Media in farmacia” in collaboration with Haiku Technologies. The study provides an in-depth analysis of pharmacies as new strategic media hubs and examines consumer trends shaping the sector’s evolution.

In recent years, Italian pharmacies have undergone a profound transformation: from simple points of sale to multifunctional hubs integrating prevention services, consultation, and advanced technologies capable of measuring advertising effectiveness. Thanks to digitalization and the installation of indoor screens and multichannel proximity solutions, pharmacies have become high-value communication channels, reaching consumers already predisposed to purchase.

The white paper offers market analysis, case studies, and guidelines for leveraging this growing channel, which is projected to reach over €640 million in Italy in 2025.

Key insights from the white paper include:

• Purchase trends show significant seasonality: supplements +20% in August, dermocosmetics +43% in December, and infant products +79% in December.
• Product category weight varies: OTC (over-the-counter drugs) 41%, Personal Care 24%, and Supplements 11% representing the most significant share of the pharma sector.

The document also highlights the importance of a full-funnel approach for effective retail media strategies AdKaora and Haiku’s solutions are designed to reach consumers both inside and around the pharmacy and across their digital journey through multiple touchpoints.

With over 250 digitalized points of sale, 2.5 million monthly scans, and an omnichannel ecosystem, AdKaora and Haiku provide healthcare and pharma companies with granular insights into purchasing behaviour and real-time KPIs. This allows for direct connection between media investment and actual sales results, optimizing campaigns and maximizing ROI (return on investment).

For brands and investors, the opportunities are numerous: from planning high-impact, measurable retail media campaigns to segmenting and personalizing strategies based on specific product categories.
In conclusion, retail media confirms its status as a strategic and innovative channel, set to play an increasingly central role in communication and marketing strategies for the future.

The full white paper is available here:link.

To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November, Mondadori Store, Italy’s largest bookstore network, is launching the awareness campaign “Facciamo luce”: a week of events, testimonies and activities designed to spark shared reflection on the issue of gender-based violence.

The initiative, which begins on Monday 17 November, highlights knowledge as one of the key tools for building a culture rooted in respect and equality. The campaign’s claim, “Facciamo luce”(Let’s shed some light), is grounded in this very principle, celebrating the power of reading, books and words as drivers of change.

The project will unfold across all physical and digital Mondadori Store channels, from bookstores to social media and the e-commerce site mondadoristore.it. Stores across the network will take part through moments of dialogue and reflection, supported by collaborations with local organisations and associations.

The “Facciamo luce” program

Starting on 17 November, a calendar of events in various Italian cities will offer opportunities to explore and discuss issues related to stereotypes, language, representation and gender relations. Authors, journalists, cultural voices and social creators will take part, with the aim of creating open, inclusive spaces for dialogue.

The thematic strands include:

“Identity and women’s stories”:

• 18 November, Mondadori Bookstore, Piazza Cola di Rienzo 81/83, in Rome, Lucia Tancredi presents her book “Ersilia e le altre”;
• 19 November, Mondadori Bookstore, Corso Porta Romana 78/80, in Milan, Jennifer Guerra leads the workshop “Dissonanti: le donne soggetti e oggetti della musica”, a conversation on how women are represented in music, between objectification and agency. Guests include: Veronica Tosetti, author, and Riccardo Burgazzi, publisher and author;
• 23 November, Mondadori Bookstore, Galleria Alberto Sordi, in Rome, within the Rewriters Festival, journalist Rory Cappelli hosts “Le donne dimenticate: riscrivere la storia. Incontro con Melania Mazzucco”.
• 25 November, Mondadori Duomo bookstore, in Milan, journalist and TV author Marta Perego moderates “Quello che le storie ci dicono”, a roundtable bringing together theatre, literature, psychology and linguistics to explore how storytelling shapes our understanding of gender differences, relationships, power, the body and freedom. Speakers include: Valeria Perdonò, actress, speaker and co-founder of AMLETA; Lorenza Gentile, writer; Valeria Locati, psychologist, psychotherapist and bibliotherapist; and Veronica Repetti, linguist and communicator.

“Domestic Violence”:

• 19 November, Mondadori Bookstore, Piazza Cola di Rienzo 81/83, in Rome, Anna Tiziana Torti and Lorenzo Greco present “La distanza che ci unisce”;
• 10 December, Mondadori Bookstore, Galleria Alberto Sordi, in Rome, Irene Vella discusses her book “Era mia figlia”.

“The grammar of masculinity”:

• 20 November, Mondadori Bookstore, Piazza Cola di Rienzo 81/83, in Rome, Jennifer Guerra leads the workshop “Spogliatoi e chat del calcetto: dove gli uomini imparano a fare gli uomini”, focusing on the models that shape male identity. Guests include: Alessio Maronn, a communicator who focuses on masculinity, and Maria Anna Di Gioia, professor and author.

“Rights and protection”:

• 21 November, Mondadori Bookstore, Galleria Alberto Sordi, in Rome, as part of the Rewriters Festival, journalist, host and human-rights activist Claudia Conte curates “Donne, diritti, dignità: educazione al rispetto e alla non violenza”. Speakers include: Marta Schifone, head of her party’s delegation on the Labour Committee at the Chamber of Deputies and first signatory of the bill establishing STEM Week; Simona Baldassarre, Lazio Regional Councillor for Culture and Youth Policies; Emanuele Prisco, Undersecretary at the Ministry of the Interior with responsibility for victims of violent crimes; and Paola Di Nicola, judge of the Court of Cassation and legal consultant to the Parliamentary Commission on Femicide.
• 23 November, Mondadori Bookstore, Galleria Alberto Sordi, in Rome, again as part of the Rewriters Festival, “La violenza informatica contro le donne: l’emergenza sociale”, curated by journalist and TV host Myrta Merlino, with Roberta Mestichella, Deputy Chief Commissioner of the Italian State Police.
• 24 November, Mondadori Bookstore, Piazza Cola di Rienzo 81/83, in Rome: Costanza Jesurum presents her book “Violenze di genere. Prevenire, comprendere, curare”.
• 27 November, Mondadori Bookstore, Galleria Alberto Sordi, in Rome, presentation of “In rivolta. Manifesto dei corpi liberi”, a collective volume whose proceeds will support WeWorld’s projects for women’s rights in Afghanistan and Palestine.

“Education is prevention”:

• 23 November, Mondadori Bookstore in Vimodrone, inside the Vimodrone Shopping Centre, in collaboration with Leo Scienza, the educational workshop “C’e una bella differenza” will explore diversity, prejudice and gender stereotypes.

The full calendar of events scheduled in bookstores across the country is available on mondadoristore.it.