The week devoted to Campania has been inaugurated inside the Italy Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the exhibition area dedicated to the Region.
Campania's presence at expo will focus on the features connecting it to Japan, a country with which it shares geological and cultural similarities, in particular due to the presence of active volcanoes that have shaped the local landscape, history and traditions.
Mt Vesuvius, the symbol of Campania, as well as the Campi Flegrei area, also known the Phlegrean Fields in English, and Mt Fuji, Japan's icon, represent much more than natural phenomena: they are key elements of the local spiritual and cultural identity that are deeply rooted in the respective populations.
Both territories cohabit with the strength and threat of volcanoes and have developed a relationship of respect and adjustment.
Starting with the Digital Ecosystem for Culture, the Campania Region - Directorate of cultural policies and tourism - has worked on the project 'Fire and Memory' with the objective of narrating the connection between volcanic activity and the evolution of ancient cultures, with particular attention to the Vesuvius, Campi Flegrei and the archaeological sites of Pompeii, Ercolano (Herculaneum) and Cuma through a scenographic exhibition.
Archaeology in this context becomes a bridge between past and present, between destruction and rebirth.
In the exhibition niches, instead, Campania has showcased local productions, inspired by innovation and sustainability, also through the representation of processes of digitalization, rediscovery and promotion of the region's traditions, through some operations funded by the Programme Campania Fesr.
Three niches in the exhibition area focus on the promotion of the digitalization of Campania's cultural heritage.
Highlights also include small objects and oeuvres representing the region's rich ceramics tradition, made by the school Istituto Caselli of Capodimonte.
Tourism and the creative industry are represented with shows focusing on the craftsmanship behind the local art of creating Nativity scenes.
Also on display are the technologies behind the SoNa digitalization program regarding the local cultural heritage.
The fourth niche meanwhile focuses on fashion, Made in Italy, advanced materials and nanotechnology with clothes and jewels made in an innovative cellulose fibre obtained without cutting trees.
This niche also showcases gloves produced as part of the activities of the leather research institute based in Pozzuoli.
The fifth niche displays some models made by the centre for digital craftsmanship while the sixth is dedicated to the theme of pizza, with a focus on the use of blockchain for 'Pizza Campana' and innovative experimentations on this theme.
However Campania isn't just represented by its local food and landscape.
For this reason, the week dedicated to the region will also present a collective mission of companies based in the region operating in sectors of excellence including aerospace, automotive, precision mechanics, logistics, fashion, leather and accessories.
"Campania will try to represent at its best its history, traditions, culture and craftsmanship", said Nicola Caputo, the agriculture councillor of the Campania Region.
"We will represent a synthesis of tradition and innovation", added Caputo, trying to "show on the one hand the beauty of our cultural heritage and our landscapes" and on the other "the quality of our craftsmanship and the health benefits of our food productions".
"The Japanese and international public are already crowding the spaces dedicated to the region", stated the Commissioner General for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka, Ambassador Mario Vattani.
"This is the quality of the many regions that have chose to adhere to our project", explained Vattani.
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