by InTrieste
Interviews: Mario Anzil, FVG Councilor for Culture; Serena Tonel, Deputy Mayor of Trieste
A new cultural and creative center dedicated to science, technology and civic participation has opened in Trieste, reinforcing the city’s role as one of northeastern Italy’s key innovation hubs.
Called Asperastra Innovation Lab, the project is part of Trieste’s Urban Center strategy and is funded by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region through its three-year program supporting cultural infrastructure. The lab is designed to promote STEAM disciplines — science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics — through public events, educational programs and hands-on experimentation accessible to a broad audience.
The center will be open about 200 days a year and is expected to host more than 190 events through the end of 2027. Its activities will include workshops, seminars, festivals, hackathons and laboratories aimed at students, professionals and the general public. Organizers describe it as a space for learning, collaboration and active citizenship, with a focus on reducing barriers to advanced technologies.
Asperastra Innovation Lab builds on Trieste’s existing FabLab, active since 2021 and inspired by the FabLab model first developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The new facility expands that experience with upgraded infrastructure, including a robotics laboratory equipped with a programmable robotic arm and a dedicated artificial intelligence lab. The AI lab will offer five local machines for experimentation, including projects involving copyrighted materials, an uncommon feature intended to support creative and research work.
A distinctive element of the project is its emphasis on combining innovation with local tradition. Digital craftsmanship labs will bring together traditional artisanal techniques and modern technologies, encouraging experimentation with materials such as wood and new composites through a “learning by doing” approach. Educational programs for schools, grouped under the theme “The Future Is Today,” aim to introduce students and teachers to emerging STEAM challenges, while introductory workshops called “Hello World” will be open to anyone interested in learning how to use the lab’s tools.
The project is supported by a network of public and private partners, including the Municipality of Trieste, the Alto Adriatico Technology Park, Talent Garden Pordenone, the University of Udine and SheTech, an organization focused on women’s empowerment in the technology sector. Promoting female participation in science and technology is one of the lab’s stated priorities.
Among the flagship initiatives is an annual Christmas Hackathon, a 25-hour creative marathon involving about 30 participants developing digital products or services with the support of mentors. Looking ahead to 2026 and 2027, the lab plans to launch a permanent interdisciplinary laboratory on artificial intelligence, exploring its impact across fields such as ethics, philosophy, law, economics and the arts.
Other planned initiatives include an International AI Festival focused on films and audiovisual works created with artificial intelligence, and a monthly talk series featuring prominent figures from the digital and scientific worlds.
Designed according to accessibility and “design for all” principles, Asperastra Innovation Lab is located within a broader complex dedicated to cultural tourism and innovation. Its founders say the project aims not only to foster technological skills, but also to strengthen Trieste’s position as a place where innovation, culture and civic life intersect.
