06 May 2015 - Italian Prime Minister and President of the European Council of Ministers Matteo Renzi formally opened on May 01 the Universal Exposition Milan 2015 in a glitzy ceremony and splendid setting of Milan Expo Grounds attended by Italian government and foreign officials, commissioners-general of participating countries, and diplomatic representatives, as well as local and international media, various non government, international organizations and private firms among others.
The theme for this year’s World Fair is “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”. Italy hopes that this year’s fair will become a grand showpiece of culture and technology, with an in-depth focus on food security and environmental sustainability.
There are 145 countries participating in EXPO Milan. Members of ASEAN countries also have their own pavilions except for Singapore and the Philippines. In some pavilions, crafts, souvenirs and other food products are available for sale. There are also countries who put up their restaurants beside their respective pavilions, such as Germany, Spain, Italy, Ecuador and Thailand.
In the afternoon of the opening day, a multi-cultural parade was held representing the continents of the world. Mabuhay Filipino dance group was invited by Milano World Arts Map (M-WAM) under the city of Milan’s città mondo program to join the parade. The giant X structure in the parade was made and designed by Milan-based Filipino artist Mr. Richard Gabriel.
Prior to the opening day of Expo Milan 2015, a grand inaugural concert was held in Piazza Duomo in the evening of April 30 to formally open the six-month event, featuring Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and Chinese pianist Lang Lang, accompanied by the Teatro alla Scala orchestra. During the concert, images on the big screens gave the audience a preview of the spectacular attractions at the Expo, showing the impressive pavilions of various countries. The evening proceeded with the lighting of the Tree of Life at the Expo site, with its colorful display of light, water, laser-beams in musical synchrony. A special moment was also dedicated to show solidarity with the people affected by the earthquake in Nepal. The host, Paolo Bonolis, mentioned that Italian craftsmen from Bergamo and Brescia have shown their solidarity by completing the Nepal Pavilion, allowing the Nepalese workers to return home to reunite with their loved ones.
EXPO Milan 2015 is the second universal Expo hosted by Italy. The first was in 1906 also in Milan, with transport as its theme. END