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www.italoamericano.org 8 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2025 L'Italo-Americano S e t t o t a k e p l a c e from April 13 to October 13, 2025, E x p o 2 0 2 5 Osaka will trans- form the artificial island of Yumeshima into a global hub for innovation, sustain- a b i l i t y , a n d c u l t u r a l exchange. Under the theme Designing Future Society for Our Lives, the exposi- tion aims to address pressing g l o b a l i s s u e s t h r o u g h t h e support of international col- laboration. With an estimated 28 mil- lion visitors expected, Expo 2025 Osaka offers Italy a sig- nificant platform to show its excellence in art, technology, sustainability, and cultural heritage. At the heart of the Belpaese's presence is its Pavilion: designed by the renowned architect Mario Cucinella, it is inspired by the Renaissance concept of the "Ideal City" and incorpo- rates elements such as a the- ater, a public square, and an Italian-style garden. Each of t h e s e s p a c e s s y m b o l i z e s Italy's urban and cultural identity, and wants to facili- tate the interaction between v i s i t o r s , i n n o v a t o r s , a n d artists. Key is the theme "Art Regenerates Life," which highlights the idea that cre- ativity, craftsmanship, and d e s i g n h a v e t h e p o w e r t o s h a p e s o c i e t i e s a n d d r i v e progress. According to the Italian Expo committee, the Pavilion will be both a gallery of won- ders and a "living laboratory" celebrating Italy's artistic and historical legacy, as well as its forward-thinking approach to technology and sustainabili- ty. Of course, the Pavilion will also serve as a reminder of Italy's leading role in high- quality manufacturing and design, and will feature a wide range of exhibitions and live demonstrations celebrat- ing Italian excellence in fields such as aerospace, robotics, green technology, and indus- trial design. Another major highlight will be the exhibition of time- less masterpieces, including the Farnese Atlas, a 2,000- kilogram marble sculpture from the National Archaeo- logical Museum of Naples, displayed in Asia for the first time. Tintoretto's portrait o f I tō M a n c i o (1585), a samurai who led the Tenshō Embassy to Rome, will also be exhibited, to symbolize the long-standing cultural ties between Italy and Japan. Caravaggio's The Entomb- ment of Christ (1604) will be presented in an unprece- dented immersive setting, allowing visitors to observe it at eye level, just 30 centime- ters from the ground. Another interesting artis- tic installation will propose the unique fusion of technol- ogy and music, through the transformation of a digital electric furnace into a musi- cal instrument. Italy's advancements in sustainability, particularly in green energy and environ- mentally friendly industrial processes, will also be cen- tral, especially with Danieli Group's pioneering work in g r e e n s t e e l p r o d u c t i o n , w h i c h d e m o n s t r a t e s h o w technological innovation can reduce carbon emissions in heavy industries. But the Italian Pavilion also aims to create oppor- tunities for business col- laborations. Italy will pre- sent its key achievements in aerospace technology, life sciences, and underwater research, with the Italian Space Agency sharing its contributions to space explo- ration, and the La Spezia- based Underwater Tech- nology Hub highlighting new discoveries in subaquat- ic engineering and marine sustainability. Last but not certainly least, Ganiga, an Italian company specializing in AI-driven recycling solu- tions, will demonstrate cut- ting-edge waste management technologies. I t a l i a n m u s i c will be present with daily live per- formances, including opera, jazz, classical music, and contemporary genres. Spe- cial attention will be given to Italian opera, a UNESCO- recognized intangible cultur- a l h e r i t a g e , a n d t o t h e importance of cultivating talents, with young students from Italy's top music acad- emies performing alongside established artists. There will also be time to recognize the creativity and efforts of Italian designers with the awarding of a spe- cial edition of the presti- gious Compasso d'Oro, an event organized in collabo- ration with ADI (Association for Industrial Design): the perfect way to celebrate the finest achievements in Ital- ian industrial design, and to reinforce Italy's position as a global leader in aesthetics and functionality. T h e I t a l i a n h u b a t t h e J a p a n e s e E x p o w o u l d n ' t have been complete without somewhere special to enjoy g o o d f o o d : a l l v i s i t o r s attracted by Italian cuisine will be able to enjoy it at the P a v i l i o n ' s r o o f t o p restaurant, which over- l o o k s a l u s h I t a l i a n - s t y l e garden. Here, gourmands from all over the world will h a v e t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o sample regional Italian cui- sine, with a rotating menu that highlights specialties from different regions each week; crucially, the restau- rant doesn't only aim to pro- mote Italy's diverse culinary heritage but also wants to emphasize the importance of h i g h - q u a l i t y , s u s t a i n a b l e food production. For those interested in the scientific i m p o r t a n c e o f f o o d , t h e P a v i l i o n w i l l a l s o h o s t workshops and educa- tional programs focused on nutrition, food innova- tion, and sustainable agri- culture. Italy will also extensively c o n t r i b u t e t o k e y d i s c u s - s i o n s a n d e v e n t s a t t h e Expo, by taking part in the- matic weeks dedicated to pressing global issues, such as food security, health and w e l l - b e i n g , a n d c l i m a t e resilience. Italian research institutions, universities, a n d i n d u s t r y l e a d e r s w i l l engage in dialogues aimed at shaping policies and solu- t i o n s f o r a s u s t a i n a b l e f u t u r e . F u r t h e r m o r e , t h e Pavilion will serve as a hub for institutional and busi- ness networking, promoting connections between Italian enterprises and internation- a l p a r t n e r s : w i t h J a p a n b e i n g a c r u c i a l e c o n o m i c and trade partner for Italy, Expo 2025 Osaka provides a s t r a t e g i c o p p o r t u n i t y t o strengthen bilateral rela- t i o n s a n d e x p l o r e n e w avenues for collaboration. At Expo 2025 Osaka, Italy will present a vision that b r i n g s t o g e t h e r t r a d i t i o n with innovation, and will offer to visitors the best of its artistic, scientific, and industrial achievements. Its Pavilion will stand as the embodiment of the nation's creativity, commitment to sustainability, and role as a b r i d g e b e t w e e n c u l t u r e s . T h r o u g h a r t , t e c h n o l o g y , a n d b u s i n e s s i n i t i a t i v e s , Italy aims to inspire visitors a n d r e i n f o r c e i t s g l o b a l i n f l u e n c e i n k e y s e c t o r s , while celebrating its past and laying the foundation f o r a f o r w a r d - l o o k i n g , human-centered future. LUCA SIGNORINI Art, innovation, and sustainability: Italy's vision for the future at Expo 2025 Osaka Here is how the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka will look like (Visual by MCA Visual, courtesy of Commissioner General for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka - www.italyexpo2025osaka.it) NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS