Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister
Antonio Tajani officially opened the Italy Pavilion at Expo 2025
Osaka on Sunday.
Tajani's presence at the inauguration ceremony highlights the
key role and opportunities Expo offers for the
internationalization of Italian businesses and reaffirms the
importance of Italy-Japan relations, further strengthened by the
strategic partnership signed by Premier Giorgia Meloni and the
recent visit by President Sergio Mattarella.
Designed by MCA - Mario Cucinella Architects, the Italy Pavilion
revolves around the theme 'Art Regenerates Life'.
Inspired by the concept of the Renaissance Ideal City, it
features spaces such as the theatre, the portico, the piazza,
and the garden - all emblematic elements of Italian urban and
social identity.
These serve as starting points for a broader reflection on the
Expo's main theme: 'Designing Future Society for Our Lives'.
"The Italy Pavilion serves as an international showcase for the
integrated promotion of the Italian System and Made in Italy in
the Asia-Pacific region and globally," said Tajani.
"Italy's participation in Expo 2025 Osaka is a unique
opportunity to support the internationalization of our
businesses, boost exports, attract investments, and promote
Italian technology and artisanal excellence.
"Japan is already Italy's third-largest trading partner in Asia,
after China and India: in 2024, bilateral trade reached €12.6
billion, with Italian exports hitting a record €8.2 billion.
"These results can be further strengthened, also thanks to
opportunities like Expo and the exceptionally strong bilateral
political dialogue, as demonstrated by the recent state visit of
the President of the Republic to Tokyo".
The Commissioner General for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka,
Ambassador Mario Vattani, commented that: "the Italy Pavilion is
the result of a collective effort that has involved all the key
players of the Italian System in recent months.
"Expo 2025 Osaka offers a global stage to update Italy's image
in Japan, across Asia, and worldwide, while promoting its finest
achievements. We are showcasing the full beauty of Italy at an
event expected to attract over 30 million visitors," Vattani
continued
Also present at the opening ceremony was Archbishop Rino
Fisichella, Pro-Prefect for Evangelization and Commissioner
General of the Holy See Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, which for
the first time in the history of the Expo is being hosted inside
the Italy Pavilion with a dedicated section.
On the occasion, Caravaggio's masterpiece 'The Deposition'
(1604), on loan from the Vatican Museums, was unveiled.
"I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Italy Pavilion
for the hospitality and dedication shown in collaborating with
our Dicastery in the organization of this extraordinary event,"
said Fisichella
"The Pavilion of the Holy See is proud to showcase beauty as a
symbol of hope to the world, embodied in this masterpiece, The
Deposition.
"This painting by Caravaggio, the only one of its kind in the
Vatican Museums collection, has been brought abroad for this
exceptional occasion, demonstrating the Holy See's commitment to
sharing the greatness of art as a privileged means of
evangelization."
Following the official ribbon-cutting and the performance of the
national anthem, the ceremony continued with a guided tour of
the Italy Pavilion, led by Commissioner General Vattani, and the
architect Mario Cucinella.
Tajani and the accompanying delegation were shown the key
artworks and installations on display, including the Farnese
Atlas, Leonardo da Vinci's Codex Atlanticus, Caravaggio's "The
Deposition" (1604), and works by Mimmo Paladino, Jago, Boccioni,
Oriana Persico, and Francesca Leone.
The day also included the presentation of the "Asia-Pacific
Focus" as part of the Action Plan for Export to high-potential
non-EU markets, with contributions from: Barbara Cimmino, Vice
President for Export and Investment Attraction, Confindustria;
Marco Granelli, President, Confartigianato; Matteo Lunelli,
President, Altagamma; Riccardo Garosci, Vice President for
Internationalization and Foreign Trade, Confcommercio; Giacomo
Mareschi Danieli, CEO, Danieli; Adriano Alfani, CEO, Versalis
ENI; Fulvio Renoldi Bracco, Vice President and CEO, Bracco
Imaging; Matteo Zoppas, President, ICE Agency; Regina Corradini
d'Arienzo, CEO, SIMEST; Alessandra Ricci, CEO, SACE; and Laurent
Franciosi, Head of International Market Development, CDP.
The event concluded with a brief segment dedicated to the "Giro
d'Italia," featuring former champion Vincenzo Nibali and Paolo
Bellino, the CEO of RCS Sport.
During the ceremony, performances were staged by Serena Autieri,
Patron of the Italy Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, and the
Carabinieri Band, returning to inaugurate the Osaka Expo 55
years after their appearance at the 1970 edition.
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