Casa Stradivari - Expo Osaka 2025

On the occasion of Expo 2025 Osaka, Regione Lombardia took centre stage for a week at the Italy Pavilion with a programme dedicated to the excellence of its territory. Cremona represented the Region through its musical and violin-making tradition, presenting itself to an international audience.

Music lay at the heart of the participation in Expo 2025: violinist Fabrizio von Arx, Artistic Director of Casa Stradivari, performed on the 1720 Stradivari “The Angel – ex Madrileno”,accompanied on the piano by Antonio Valentino.

The Stradivari is not merely an instrument, but a true work of art and, together with the absolute masterpieces on display, was a protagonist of the magnificent Italy Pavilion.

The audience had the opportunity to admire and listen to the Stradivari up close: a rare and unique experience.

Alongside the concerts, Cremona’s presence also included an event dedicated to violin making, with a practical demonstration of violin construction curated by the International School of Violin Making “Antonio Stradivari” of Cremona. Headmaster Daniele Pitturelli and master luthier Marco Pedrini highlighted Cremonese violin making as a living cultural heritage, recognised by UNESCO.

Fondazione Casa Stradivari wishes to express its sincere gratitude to Regione Lombardia, represented by the President of Regione Lombardia Attilio Fontana, the Regional Councillor for Culture Francesca Caruso, and the Regional Councillor for Tourism at the time of Expo 2025 Barbara Mazzali; to the Municipality of Cremona, with Councillor for Tourism, Youth, Communication and Events Luca Burgazzi, Chiara Bondioni, Director of the Culture and Tourism Department and Paola Milo, Head of the Promotion, Information and Tourist Reception Service; and to the Italy Pavilion for supporting and making possible this project, which offered a unique opportunity to present the city, its history and its cultural excellence to a global audience.

Special thanks go to Elena Sgarbi, Deputy Section Commissioner General and Plenipotentiary Minister; to Rossella Menegazzo, Head of Culture, Science and Education at the General Commission for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka; to violinist Tamaki Kawakubo, who shared the stage with Fabrizio von Arx and Antonio Valentino; and to Tamoi Fujii, Yasko Fujii and Tommy Hirotaka Tomita for their wonderful hospitality and organisation.