Milan Expo opens to riots on the city’s streets

Biggest Italian opportunity for decades may be lost

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Expo Milano2015 could have been Italy’s big opportunity. The World Fair concentrating on sustainable energy and sustainable food would have played to Italy’s big strengths and showcased these to a global population. The idea was that it would bring in tourists and expose news about just how well Italy was doing on the most important issues of our time.

World Fairs often leave a tourism legacy too – in Paris the Eifel Tower was created and in Brussels the Atomium – both for World Fairs in these cities.

But Italy’s has been challenged initially by bribery accusations, when premier Matteo Renzi stepped in to sack all the marketing team. By which time the €90 million budget had probably been spent. Then by a lack of foreign marketing to get the tourists necessary to reach the total 20 million visitors forecast – and now by riots in the streets of Milan.

On the day before the Expo opening, student protesters marched through the city; the words "No Expo" were spray painted onto shop fronts, while policemen in riot gear patrolled the streets.

More demonstrations took place on opening day, with a group known as NoExpo processing through central Milan to coincide with May Day labour marches.

Valentina Gazzara, a member of Off Topic, a group involved in the NoExpo movement said:  "Expo is the event that promised jobs and wealth, but in fact led to the exploitation of voluntary labor, with an excessive load on overtime," adding that many in Milan were unhappy about the event.

The NoExpo website also cited concerns over the involvement of multinationals like Coca Cola, McDonald’s and Nestle.

It is a great pity for Italy and for the Expo that it has been clouded by such animosity.

The latest world expo – Milan Expo 2015 – is titled "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life". And where better to hold this gargantuan food and sustainable living event than in the land of good living and eating itself – Milan, Italy.

Visitors will be able to revel in the tastes of at least 145 countries representing some 94% of the world’s population – the greatest line-up of foodie experiences ever.

During the next six months, visitors will experience a massive treat, for the eyes, for the spirit – and definitely for the stomach!

In the massive space – all the world’s tastes within a million square meters – 145 countries of the world will be seeking to outdo each other in their culinary, lifestyle and cultural offers.

Visitors will be able to enjoy strolling along thematic routes…   telling stories of mankind and food, understanding our relationship with taste a, looking towards our culinary future.

They will be able to visit vast themed clusters…   telling the stories of cocoa, coffee, fruit and vegetables, spices, cereals and tubers, where visitors will be able to understand the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, the story of rice and the abundance of the oceans. All peopled by country pavilions telling their own unique stories of food and taste.

And the one million square metre Exhibition Site  itself – simply gargantuan, including…

The ultra high-tech Palazzo Italia destined to be the centre of technological innovation for the city after the Expo. Here visitors can stroll along the Cardo and the Decumano, visit the magnificent Lake Arena, enjoy the Open Air Theatre – tasting sublime food all the way! Take a virtual tour NOW

But, above all Milan Expo2015 is a hands-on (or lips-on) on experience of food and good sustainable living.

Let’s hope that the Expo overcomes its teething troubles and gets its act together at least in time for the firework display.

Valere Tjolle

@ValereTjolle

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