With an immersive exhibition space and a storyline mixing innovation, tourism and widespread beauty, the week dedicated to Lombardy has opened at the Italy Pavilion of Expo 2025 Osaka, the last on the calendar dedicated to Italian Regions.
The showcase offers a journey without borders through art, technology and landscapes under the slogan 'Lombardy, beauty that innovates'.
The exhibition space, planned as an experience-filled tour, takes visitors on a journey through 12 of Lombardy's provinces thanks to an immersive video showing mountains and lakes, art cities and historic villages, as well as the symbolic locations of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Each visitor can receive a personalized digital postcard set in one of the region's iconic scenarios.
Outside, thematic niches showcase Lombardy's excellence: from the flavours of Grana Padano and the wines of Oltrepò Pavese, to violin making in Cremona, the avant-garde projects of Milan's Polytechnic University and the promotion of Olympic Games host Valtellina.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony opening the week dedicated to Lombardy was attended by the Commissioner General for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka, Mario Vattani, and the region's Tourism, Territorial Marketing and Fashion Councillor, Barbara Mazzali.
"We have inaugurated the last regional week" dedicated to "Lombardy, a region known in Japan for its high-quality products, research and technology, which however also presents itself here as a tourist destination of extraordinary beauty", stated Vattani According to Vattani, this is "a moving way to close an exceptional period, remembering figures like Giorgio Armani, an ambassador of Lombardy's culture and elegance".
Councillor Mazzali highlighted how Lombardy is "Italy's top region in terms of design and cosmetics, as well as the cradle of creativity and entrepreneurship that render Made in Italy great".
She added: "We have sought to offer an immersive experience that describes the heart of our provinces and to pay homage to Giorgio Armani, a Lombard by adoption and a symbol of beauty worldwide".
Events planned this week include a meeting between Mazzali and the Mayor of Asahikawa to forge a possible twinning agreement, masterclasses dedicated to products of excellence like Grana Padano and wines from the Oltrepò area, as well as workshops on art, technology and sustainability exploring the use of artificial intelligence in restoration and circular bioeconomy to promote a green future.
Industrial innovation will also take centre stage with project AIDA - Artificial Intelligence Driving Autonomous - promoted by the Polytechnic University of Milan and the conference 'From Japan to Lombardy' starring Japanese companies like Daikin, Nippon Gases, Turboden, YKK and Ntt Data, which are already active in the region.
The Region and the Prefecture of Osaka will moreover sign a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen bilateral cooperation in sectors including the economy, tourism, culture, education and mobility.
"Lombardy's entrepreneurial world has always been at the forefront and being able to present our know-how and our values in Japan is an important occasion of debate and international growth", said Marco Capitanio, the Vice President of business association Confindustria Brescia.
The week will wrap up with the workshop 'I Am the Future', which is dedicated to Lombardy's young talents and startups that use artificial intelligence to deal with global challenges, the round table on MIND - Milano Innovation District - and the Kyoto research park dedicated to public and private partnerships for cities and the healthcare of the future.
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