DUBAI – Italy celebrated its Expo 2020 Dubai National Day on Wednesday with a touch of Italian style, including a cultural performance by The Carabinieri Band of the Italian Armed Forces, following the raising of the red, white and green Il Tricolore at Al Wasl Plaza.
The Carabinieri Band played in front of UAE dignitaries, led by His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai and an Italian delegation led by His Excellency Luigi Di Maio, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Italy. The programme then continued on to Expo’s Business Connect Centre, with bilateral and general meetings held between top officials.
His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan said: “Italy’s rich history and culture has inspired artists, writers, and innovators from around the globe across the ages, and this is reflected in Italy’s uniquely designed pavilion. Under the title ‘Beauty Connects People’, the pavilion is a captivating showcase of arts and culture, sharing Italy’s enchanting notion of beauty with our visitors through the distinctively curated content of the exhibition, and impeccably demonstrating how innovation and culture are intertwined.
“At Expo 2020, Italy’s multidisciplinary approach to its pavilion and focus on educational, business, and cultural opportunities promote these priorities, and open up new prospects for further collaboration between our nations that will ensure the advancement and prosperity of our people.”
The Italy Pavilion is a showcase of carefully selected and curated content, and at the centrepiece is a 3D-printed replica of Michelangelo’s famous David sculpture.
His Excellency Luigi Di Maio – Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said: “Expo 2020 Dubai is the first world exhibition to happen in the Middle East – a global hub that will unlock unique opportunities for the full resumption of international tourism and investment flows at this important juncture. Therefore for Italy, our attendance at Expo 2020 Dubai provides the opportunity to reach a global public.
“At Expo 2020 Dubai, we will also highlight the beauty and diversity of Italy’s territories thanks to the support and qualified contributions of the Italian regions to the Expo participation projects. With over 360,000 visitors in the first five weeks and about 10,000 daily visits, Italy’s pavilion is already one of the most appreciated.”
A meeting organised by the Italian Embassy at the country’s pavilion was attended by a high-level Italian government delegation led by His Excellency Luigi Di Maio, the Deputy Governor of the Italian Central Bank and international investors, to discuss Italy as a potential destination for foreign direct investment, including from the UAE.
Fine Italian culture was brought to the general public at Expo 2020 Dubai, with a concert by the Accademia Teatro alla Scala di Milano playing at the Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre. Earlier in the day, Italy’s Olympic champions joined coaches from the national sport federations to participate in a series of events at the Sports, Fitness and Wellbeing Hub, targeted at teaching youths aged 5-14 the value of an active lifestyle.
National and Honour Days at Expo 2020 Dubai are moments to celebrate each of our 200-plus International Participants, shining a light on their culture and achievements and showcasing their pavilions and programming. Each features a flag-raising ceremony at the Stage of Nations in Al Wasl Plaza, followed by speeches and cultural performances.
Running until 31 March 2022, Expo 2020 has invited visitors from across the planet to join the making of a new world in a six-month celebration of human creativity, innovation, progress and culture.