Pinocchio Dolls: The Last Artisan Closes

Pinocchio He is one of the symbols of Italy around the world, a true icon of our country. Also for his characteristics as a character who is as funny as he is a liar, likable but unreliable. And the tale of Pinocchio continues to enchant millions of children, as if it were written yesterday.

PINOCCHIO'S SHOP IS CLOSED

Alongside literature, the myth of Pinocchio had developed in Italy a handicraft of great quality, based on the construction of wooden puppets. Unfortunately, this enormous heritage was lost, wasted, piece by piece, and even Pinocchio's last workshop closed, the Bartolucci di Belvedere Fogliense a Tavullia.

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FRANCESCO BARTOLUCCI AND THE PINOCCHIO FACTORY

Francesco Bartolucci and his wife Mariagrazia Stocchi They had managed to build a veritable empire with their handcrafted wooden puppets. They had stores in various parts of Italy (from Rome to Florence) and sales ranging from Arab countries to the United States, from Russia to Spain. Then came the crisis. It was unstoppable due to two factors: Chinese competition, which was absolutely unsustainable, both in terms of workmanship and production costs. labor; and the rising prices of raw materials. At the same time, sales have plummeted, partly due to the coronavirus, and wooden puppets made in Italy have lacked the market to sustain themselves. And so another piece of our finest craftsmanship disappears.

The images are taken from the Facebook page . by Bartolucci

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