On the occasion of the 2026 edition of Italian Design Day, held at Dom Zanata in Sarajevo, the home of the renowned Bosnian-Herzegovinian design and furniture company, the Embassy of Italy organized a special event. On this occasion, lines, materials and ideas intertwined to create a dialogue between contemporary design and traditional craftsmanship.
During the evening, an exhibition of works created through the collaboration between the company Zanat and Italian designer Roberto Palomba was presented. A special piece of furniture resulting from their cooperation was also announced and will be officially presented at the upcoming Salone del Mobile in Milan, which will take place in April 2026.
Architect Palomba delivered a presentation on the theme selected for this year’s Design Day, “RE-DESIGN”, demonstrating how the regeneration of spaces, objects and ideas can transform creativity into concrete innovation, while highlighting the importance of craftsmanship and local skills.
Orhan Nikšić, Executive Director of Zanat, spoke about how hand-carved wood can enrich living spaces and tell stories through recognizable forms.
Founded as a family company, Zanat is known for its hand-carved wood craftsmanship and its ability to combine tradition, quality and innovation. In recent years, the company has also been present at the Salone del Mobile in Milan. For more than thirty years, the company has nurtured local talent, giving new life to materials and contributing to the promotion of Bosnian-Herzegovinian craftsmanship on international markets.
Studio Palomba Serafini Associati joined the Zanat family in 2018, opening Bosnian-Herzegovinian craftsmanship to international collaborations and the Italian design tradition.
Architect Palomba emphasized:
“For us, a project never represents a break with what already exists, but rather an act of continuity. Italian design stems from an extraordinary layering of history, culture and knowledge: each project therefore becomes a way to reinterpret this heritage and bring it into the present. Re-design means precisely this, not erasing the past, but transforming it into a living material capable of creating new spaces, new objects and new connections.”
“This evening represents a special opportunity to celebrate the meeting of the craft traditions of Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina, two countries that share expertise, attention to detail and the ability to create unique works,” said Ambassador Castellani.
“Made in Italy combines beauty and functionality, tradition and innovation, and we recognize the same approach in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The partnership between Zanat and Studio Palomba Serafini demonstrates how design can be an effective tool for opening new areas of cooperation between the manufacturing excellence of our two countries and for promoting Made in Italy, as well as the talent and skills of Italian craftsmanship.”
