by InTrieste
At Expo 2025 in Osaka, Friuli Venezia Giulia is introducing itself to the world—not with grand declarations, but with the quiet confidence of a place that knows what it has to offer.
Friuli Venezia Giulia, a land of borderlands, languages, and layered histories, began its official showcase at the World Expo this week—and in just a few days, more than 100,000 people have already visited the Italy Pavilion, where we, the people of Friuli Venezia Giulia, are presenting a version of Italy that’s often overlooked.
“Our participation is an opening to the world,” said Governor Massimiliano Fedriga during the inaugural ceremony. “It’s a seven-day window in which we shine a light on an Italy that is, as we like to say, ‘not (yet) seen.’”
Held in the pavilion’s auditorium and moderated by NHK journalist Andy Pompilio, the event welcomed prominent guests including Kyoto Prefecture Vice-Governor Kazuya Suzuki, Osaka Chamber of Commerce Vice President Kyoko Hirose, and Italy’s Commissioner General to the Expo, Mario Vattani.
Among the 160 nations represented at the Expo, the Italy Pavilion has quickly become one of the most visited. Much of that attention has been drawn by two massive LED walls—commissioned by our region—playing a continuous loop of imagery from Friuli Venezia Giulia: the Dolomites, the Adriatic coast, Roman ruins, vineyards, and cityscapes from Trieste to Udine.
But it’s not just screens that tell our story.
Inside the pavilion, three original archaeological artifacts—graciously loaned by Italy’s Ministry of Culture—reflect our deep-rooted history and UNESCO-recognized sites. Theater is another pillar of our presentation: I Piccoli di Podrecca, our legendary puppet company, is performing seven shows in collaboration with the Rossetti Theater and FVG Orchestra, bringing timeless Italian artistry to Japanese audiences.
In a creative nod to our shared love of storytelling, we’re also distributing 30,000 copies of Yokai a zonzo in Friuli Venezia Giulia, a comic book blending regional legends with Japan’s iconic yokai. Designed by the Palazzo del Fumetto, it’s a cross-cultural invitation for young readers to wander our landscapes through familiar eyes.
And, naturally, we’ve brought our food. In the pavilion’s dining spaces, visitors can discover the flavors of our land: prosciutto from San Daniele, Montasio cheese, local wines, and culinary traditions that speak of mountain and sea, Slavic and Latin, innovation and heritage.
We may be small, but in Osaka, Friuli Venezia Giulia is speaking in a voice that’s clear, proud, and unmistakably its own.
