-Initiatives linked to Sea during Osaka exhibition announced-

ROME, Aug. 30, 2024 /ANSA=Kyodo JBN/ --

  The Farnese Atlas, an imposing marble work currently kept in the National Archeological Museum of Naples (MANN), will be at the centre of the Italy Pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025, Ambassador Mario Vattani, General Commissioner for Italy at the Osaka Expo, announced on Thursday to an audience made up of Japanese, Italian and international representatives.

    He also announced initiatives linked to the Sea: a special appointment with the Blue Economy in July 2025, attended by the minister for civil protection and sea policies, Nello Musumeci; a partnership with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, and the 2025 edition of the Ocean Decade Foundations Dialogue.

    The Pavilion, a statement said, will have a theatrical space with a daily roster rich in live events.

    Actress and singer Serena Autieri will take part in the inauguration of the Italy Pavilion on April 13 2025, as 'godmother' of the event.

    In the fascinating setting of the Villaggio Italia, the multi-year travelling exhibition of Italian excellence that is accompanying the Amerigo Vespucci Navy sailing and training ship in the major ports of its World Tour spanning five continents, the press conference took place devoted to the Italy Pavilion for Expo Osaka 2025, 'Sailing to Expo 2025 Osaka - Italian Beauties and Excellence between tradition and innovation', in the presence of Japanese, Italian and international authorities, to trace, together, the path of collaboration towards Expo 2025 Osaka.

    The press conference was preceded by a photo opportunity on board the Vespucci, attended by the protagonists, together with the mascot of the Italy Pavilion, Italia-chan, and the official face of Expo 2025 Osaka, Myaku Myaku.

    During the press conference, high-profile projects that will animate the six months of the Expo at the Italy Pavilion were announced: from the presence of the Farnese Atlas to a number of initiatives linked to the Sea; from the date with Minister Musumeci to the partnership with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, to the 2025 edition of the Ocean Decade Foundations Dialogue.

    Also announced was collaboration with the Special Kids Future Vision Challenge Consortium in order to promote the programme 'Docodemo Expo' ('Anywhere Expo'), an innovative project that will enable children of various nationalities, disabled or with health problems, to take an active part in the Expo 2025 in Osaka, creating a network of encounters before, during and after the Expo, but also visiting the Pavilions remotely and interacting with AI robots.

    It was also announced that the Italy Pavilion will be animated by a rich roster of daily live events. It is a project, that of the Italy Pavilion, which is destined not only to promote Made in Italy but also to leave an indelible memory of Italy in visitors' minds. The Pavilion was designed by the architect Mario Cucinella - MCA Architects in order to bring to the world a modern version of the 'Ideal City', an iconic image of the Italian Renaissance.

    "With the Farnese Atlas, the accent on the cutting-edge sectors of aerospace and underwater, which will be a protagonist of our initiatives linked to the theme of the Sea, a heritage and tradition of our nation, Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka will show the world the excellence and a complete and comprehensive image of our Nation," said Mario Vattani, General Commissioner for Italy at the Osaka Expo, on the stage in Tokyo.

    "It will be an extraordinary opportunity to present on a global stage the scientific, technological and industrial value of our Country System, from the start-ups to the territorial chains of firms, and on to the academic world and research. Our roster will be marked, further, by daily live events, a concrete way to involve our youngest and also veteran talents, to put into practice the theme of the Italy Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, 'Art Regenerates Life'." The press conference was opened by the institutional greetings from Italian Ambassador to Japan Gianluigi Benedetti, who stressed the importance of this event for Italy: "the Universal Exposition will be an extraordinary opportunity to recount to Japan and the world the best of Italy, its millennial history and culture, its countless traditions, Italian savoir faire in its multiple dimensions, from artisanship to the most innovative designs, from food and wine to high tech. But we also want it to be a place of real encounter, a place where it is possible to get to know people personally, to inform oneself, and to deepen the many opportunities of collaboration and partnership that Italy can offer in its manufacturing sectors, in the most industrially advanced, in the field of technological research, in that of culture and the arts in general." The stage also saw the presence of the special guest, the minister for Expo 2025, Hanako Jimi, who commented: "I should like this to be an occasion to make the Expo of Osaka-Kansai a new chapter in the friendly relations between our two countries.

    I also hope that many people will visit the Italy Pavilion and that Italian art, culture and science, which have fascinated the world for so long, will be further showcased for a global audience".

    Also present was Deputy Business and Made in Italy Minister Valentino Valentini, who stressed that "the Osaka 2025 Expo will be a great opportunity for the visibility of the Italy Country System and for the excellence of Made in Italy. In these days, too, we have numerous meetings to deepen the modalities of our participation and to support the work that Commissioner Mario Vattani and his staff are doing. The Business and Made in Italy Ministry will be present, and I myself will take part in the inauguration, and the whole government will put its greatest commitment into preparing ourselves for the best for this extremely important showcase."

 The secretary-general of the Bureau International des Expositions, Dimitri Kerkentzes, said: "Thanks to the constant commitment of the organisers and of all the participants, projects and ideas are taking shape inside and outside the Italy Pavilion today in Tokyo. Celebrating relations between Italy and Japan, this beautiful Pavilion will reflect Italy's innovative spirit, fusing artistic, scientific, entrepreneurial and social experiences, and it will facilitate fresh exchanges and connections".

"The Italy Pavilion will enormously increase the Expo's attractiveness and value. The Association will continue to support Italy's preparations for Expo 2025 Osaka," commented the secretary-general of Expo 2025 for Japan, Koji Haneda, who added: "I discovered that the Amerigo Vespucci's mission includes safeguarding the natural environment and the marine eco-system. This is in line with the theme of Expo Osaka, Kansai, and its world tour will contribute to promoting the Expo's objectives".
There were numerous personalities present at the press conference, including Japanese Environment Minister Shintaro Ito and the actress and singer Serena Autieri, who will act as godmother at the inauguration of the Italy Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka on April 13 2025. 

Source: General Commissioner’s Office of Italy for Expo 2025 Osaka