Genova at Expo Osaka: An Immersive Journey Through Culture, Innovation, and Sustainability

From June 29 to July 5, Liguria took center stage at the Italy Pavilion of Expo Osaka 2025. Genoa presented itself to the international audience as a city in transformation, capable of blending tradition and future, showcasing the best of its cultural, scenic, and innovative identity. The city positions itself as a true Lighthouse City, a beacon of technological innovation and environmental sustainability.

In particular, the Territorial Marketing Department of the Municipality of Genoa curated the video “Genoa, City of the Future”, an immersive experience that transported visitors on a journey through the excellences of the Ligurian capital: from digital infrastructure to the port, from the Blue Economy to the city’s artistic and natural heritage.

The narrative unfolds along three thematic axes – cultural, green, and blue – that define the city’s complex identity.

The cultural axis highlights some of Genoa’s historical and artistic treasures: the Palazzi dei Rolli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Piazza De Ferrari, the vibrant heart of the city, the Carlo Felice Theatre, the University of Genoa, and the evocative glimpses of medieval Genoa, with remnants still visible in the Sarzano district. The journey concludes with a brief virtual visit to the Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno, showcasing its beauty and historical value.

The green axis looks to the city’s sustainable future through projects already completed or in development: the Parco del Ponte, the Strada dei Forti, the Lanterna Park, the Pra’ Dune Park, and the Waterfront area. These initiatives aim to increase urban greenery and improve the quality of life for residents.

The blue axis is a tribute to Genoa’s maritime vocation. The video explores the strengths of the Blue Economy, the strategic role of the port, the activities of the Merchant Navy, as well as the undersea cable network and the sub-port tunnel project—symbols of a city that sees the sea as both a resource and an opportunity.

Among the Genoese highlights on display were the Edoardo Chiossone Museum of Oriental Art, the House of Emerging Technologies, and the University of Genoa, which took center stage on July 1. The University presented its research activities and projects in collaboration with Japanese partners, confirming and signing new important cooperation agreements. The Chiossone Museum and the House of Emerging Technologies offered a digital cultural workshop and a video on digital technologies applied to Ligurian museums.

By Donatella Zunino