Foreign Minister Tajani Opens Italy Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka
Osaka: 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 underscores the event’s significance in promoting Italian businesses internationally and highlights the strong relationship between Italy and Japan, recently reinforced by a strategic partnership and a state visit by President Sergio Mattarella.
According to Ansa News Agency, the Italy Pavilion, designed by MCA – Mario Cucinella Architects, focuses on the theme ‘Art Regenerates Life’. Inspired by the Renaissance Ideal City, it features emblematic elements of Italian urban and social identity, such as the theatre, portico, piazza, and garden. These spaces serve as a foundation for discussions on the Expo’s primary theme: ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives’.
“The Italy Pavilion acts as an international showcase for promoting the Italian System and Made in Italy globally, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Tajani. He emphasized that Italy’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka is a significant opportunity to support business internationalization, boost exports, attract investments, and highlight Italian technology and artisanal excellence. Japan ranks as Italy’s third-largest trading partner in Asia, with bilateral trade reaching £12.6 billion in 2024 and Italian exports hitting a record £8.2 billion.
Ambassador Mario Vattani, Commissioner General for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka, remarked that the Italy Pavilion is the product of collaborative efforts by key players of the Italian System. “Expo 2025 Osaka provides a global platform to update Italy’s image and showcase its finest achievements,” Vattani stated. The event is expected to attract over 30 million visitors.
Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect for Evangelization and Commissioner General of the Holy See Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, was also present. This marks the first time the Holy See Pavilion is hosted inside the Italy Pavilion. On this occasion, Caravaggio’s masterpiece ‘The Deposition’ (1604), on loan from the Vatican Museums, was unveiled. Fisichella expressed gratitude for the collaboration and highlighted the painting’s significance as a symbol of hope and evangelization.
The ceremony included a guided tour of the Italy Pavilion, led by Commissioner General Vattani and architect Mario Cucinella. Key artworks and installations on display include the Farnese Atlas, Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Atlanticus, Caravaggio’s “The Deposition” (1604), and works by artists like Mimmo Paladino, Jago, Boccioni, Oriana Persico, and Francesca Leone.
The event featured the presentation of the “Asia-Pacific Focus” as part of the Action Plan for Export to high-potential non-EU markets. Contributions came from notable figures such as Barbara Cimmino, Marco Granelli, Matteo Lunelli, Riccardo Garosci, Giacomo Mareschi Danieli, Adriano Alfani, Fulvio Renoldi Bracco, Matteo Zoppas, Regina Corradini d’Arienzo, Alessandra Ricci, and Laurent Franciosi.
The day concluded with a segment dedicated to the “Giro d’Italia,” featuring Vincenzo Nibali and Paolo Bellino. Performances by Serena Autieri and the Carabinieri Band, returning to inaugurate the Osaka Expo 55 years after their 1970 appearance, added to the ceremony’s highlights.