Expressly Italian

World’s Fair – Expo Milan – Universal Exposition

Posted on May 25, 2015

There is an international exhibition (or world’s fair)  every 5 years.   While Las Vegas, New York, Miami and Moscow were also in the running, Milan won the honor for this year’s exhibition.  The theme selected is “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”.  It seems a really appropriate theme for our time.   From “Slow Food” to innovations in agriculture, food safely and the problems of feeding an increasing world population, it is a really relevant theme.

I was lucky to be in Milan shortly after the opening early in May.  The fair goes through October, closing October 31st, so there is plenty of time to plan a visit.  If you are anywhere in Europe this year, it is well worth the trip.

There are 140 countries around the world participating and the programs are so interesting, it takes a long time to see much.  I spent over seven hours and needed another day.  Fortunately, I plan on a return visit near the end of the event.

I took so many photos that I thought you might enjoy my sharing them.  Warning.  The first few photos show the distance you have to walk from the Metro line that ends at the Expo grounds.  It is a very long walk.

There are some really beautiful pavilions and exhibits. I especially like the UK pavilion which is like a giant hive. And the France pavilion is one of the best designs for exhibition I’ve ever seen. It is breathtaking.

France features all the products associated with their food and what they produce. From pots and pans to lavender and wine.  It is a beautifully designed and executed exhibit.

If you have any opportunity, it is well worth the time and energy to take the opportunity to see this once every five years event.  Being in Milan means that food, the Italian obsession is wonderfully explored.  Even the James Beard Institute has a restaurant that rotates world famous chefs preparing means in the center of Milan.  Reservations are hard to get.

Food sustainability is a serious world-wide issue.  The pavilions are beautiful but the content of the discussions and the exhibits of food growth, with all the vertical gardens is so important to the whole world.  Take time to look at their Expo Milan 2015 website:  http://www.expo2015.org/en.  They list upcoming events, and there is so much information available that is exciting and important.  Take time to investigate this once every five years event.