What was and what is Expo now that we can visit it

A journey through all the countries of the world through the eyes of a conscientious visitor of Expo 2015.

Since 1851, every five years, world’s cities host a unique event for six months: the universal exposition. In 2015 it’s the capital of Lombardy’s turn, which on 1st May has opened the door of Expo 2015.

 

DECUMANO

 

As in any other world exposition, since the first one held in London, the main attractions are the pavilions of the host country. In the fair site the Padiglione Zero (Zero Pavilion), Palazzo Italia and, in particular, the tree of life catch the visitor’s attention and arouse both children and adults’ interest in the Expo themes.

 

With its central theme “Feeding the Planet, energy for life”, Expo Milano 2015 deals with a big issue for International policy, i.e. global nutrition, but it does this with kindness by entering on tiptoe the consciousness of visitors. Global issues are faced on the sly: hunger, the world’s largest tragedy, is not present, but the country’s major sources are. Poverty, malnutrition, disparity between nations cannot be seen; on the contrary, every pavilion praises the beauty, unity and ability of one country in a succession of moving and captivating events and shows.

 

As in Ancient Roman city planning, the project of the fair site – carried out by a team of worldwide renowned architects, including Stefan Boeri, Ricky Burdett and Jacques Herzog – consists of a main wide street (cardo) that is house to the Italian pavilions, intersected by a second main street (decumanus) where the other countries’ pavilions lie.

Along the cardo, Palazzo Italia is the heart of the exhibition: here Italian landscapes, traditions, culture and, obviously, gastronomy are shown to the whole world. To the north, the cardo ends with Lake Arena where, among the waters of the Villoresi channel, the tree of life, the undisputed icon of Expo Milano 2015, stands out. To the south side of the cardo, there is the Open Air Theatre, the theatre in which the Expo grand opening ceremony took place.

 

While on the cardo Italy plays the leading role, the decumanus vibrates with the energy of the other countries. At the far ends of the decumanus, the Padiglione Zero (west) and the Mediterranean hill (east).  Between these, the world folklore fires up.

 

The Austrian Pavilion smells of undergrowth and local dishes, the Azerbaijan’s Pavilion represents the Caucasian country with its enchanting building rich in pool halls, the Kazakhstan’s Pavilion enlivens the opening party with local music and musical instruments.

 

To see all the things exposed in this funfair for adults a day is not enough, as well as it is not enough for telling it. Our visit is not finished yet.

 

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