Expo 2025 Osaka:Italy unveils events-cultural program at IPM

(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 16 - On 15-16 January 2025, 600 organizers and representatives from the countries participating in Expo 2025 Osaka gathered at the Himeji City Culture and Convention Center in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.
    During the IPM, Italy participated in a double appointment: an "Individual Press conference" and at the "Pavilion Showcase Forum: Sharing Global Visions" with other Participating Countries Pavilions - a unique occasion to explore plans, highlights and events at Expo 2025 Osaka.
    Commissioner General for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka, Ambassador Mario Vattani, unveiled the latest updates on the Italy Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, designed by the renowned Studio MCA - Mario Cucinella Architects, a modern interpretation of the Ideal City of the Renaissance, with Art Regenerates Life as main theme of the Pavilion.
    "The Italy Pavilion will be a gallery of discovery, offering visitors an experience that celebrates the excellence of Made in Italy," stated Amb.Vattani.
    "Like a living laboratory, a 'cabinet of wonders' where culture meets opportunities for business, but also a stage where tradition blends with innovation. It will be a celebration of classic Italian masterpieces, but it will focus on innovation, highlighting the extraordinary diversity of our territories and regions. Through this unique opportunity, we aim to broaden and update Italy's image on a global stage at Expo 2025 Osaka and to the world".
    At Expo 2025 Osaka, Italy showcases itself as a Nation capable of blending creativity with high technology and sustainability: from life sciences to aerospace with the Italian Space Agency, Underwater Technology with the Italian National Hub of La Spezia.
    A special focus on energy will feature Danieli Group's project on green steel, an innovative technology that not only has already revolutionized the steel industry, enabling significant energy savings, but also has a spectacular side to it: the Pavilion will host a concert where for the very first time, a digital electrical furnace will be used as a musical instrument.
    With Ganiga's technology Italy will also promote recycling through an AI-based sorting system.
    Through these contents, Italy reaffirms its commitment to human-centered development, inclusivity and diversity, promoting a global model of growth and innovation.
    Culture - a peculiarity of Italian identity - takes center stage at the Pavilion with masterpieces of ancient art, including the original Farnese Atlas, a marble sculpture from the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN).
    Displayed in Asia for the first time, this 2,000-kilogram, 2-meter-tall artwork represents the relation of humanity and the cosmos, blending art and science.
    The Holy See, for the first time in the Expo history hosted inside the Italy Pavilion with a dedicated section, will bring the Caravaggio painting "The Entombment of Christ" (1604).
    This exhibit provides an intimate and immersive viewing experience, allowing visitors to admire the masterpiece from an unprecedented proximity of just 30 centimeters from the ground, offering a close-up at eye-level.
    Italy Pavilion celebrates the deep cultural ties between Italy and Japan featuring Tintoretto's portrait of Itō Mancio (1585), one of the four Japanese samurai who led the Tenshō Embassy, on loan from the Fondazione Trivulzio in Milan.
    Arturo Ferrarin's aircraft shows the exact skeleton of the SVA aeroplane, made by an expert for this special occasion, to celebrate how the Italian pioneering aviator Ferrarin was able to complete the first ever Rome-to-Tokyo flight in 1920.
    Contemporary art will also be a prominent feature, showcasing the works of artists like Mimmo Paladino, Jago, Oriana Persico and Francesca Leone, merging scientific research with artistic expression.
    Italian design exhibition and craftsmanship will further enrich the visitor experience throughout the Expo.
    Italy also collaborates with ADI (Association for Industrial Design) to promote the Compasso d'Oro International Award, the oldest and most prestigious European design award, in a special edition for Expo 2025 Osaka.
    Winning products will be showcased at the Italy Pavilion.
    The essence of Made in Italy and key sectors of Italian export and economy will also be highlighted, with fashion and food.
    High quality food and cuisine for a healthy lifestyle: the Pavilion's restaurant, overlooking an Italian-style garden, will offer visitors the chance to sample regional recipes and premium Italian products.
    The menu, changing weekly, will be inspired by the regional specialties of the 'Regional Week,' showcasing the flavors of the Italian region featured at the Pavilion each week.
    A rich calendar of daily live performances at the Pavilion's Theatre, featuring both young talents from the top Italian Academies and historical theaters, and professional artists, will enliven aperitivo time with Italian and classical music, jazz, rock, pop and traditional Italian folk music.
    Special attention will be given to Italian Opera, UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, featured as part of Italy's cultural program. Italy Pavilion will host 18 Italian regions, alongside universities, music and art academies, national research centers, to embody the nation's rich diversity, innovation, and its forward-looking vision.
    Live performances, art exhibitions and international forums by each Italian Region will celebrate Italy's variety and its vibrant cultural heritage.
    At Expo 2025 Osaka, the Italy Pavilion continues to build a bridge between tradition and innovation, sharing a vision with the human being at the root of any future to be imagined.
    (ANSA).