OSAKA, Apr.15, 2025 /ANSA=Kyodo JBN/ --

-Archbishop Fisichella, Commissioner Vattani also at inauguration-

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.

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