[Italian Chamber of Commerce in Japan] Promoting Emilia-Romagna’s cultural and creative industries at the Italian Pavilion at the Osaka Kansai Expo Italian Chamber of Commerce in Japan Press Release: October 3, 2025 To Members of the Media Emilia-Romagna’s cultural and creative industries will be promoted at the Italian Pavilion at the Osaka Kansai Expo Held September 21-27, 2025 – Promoting Emilia-Romagna’s cultural and creative industries
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/44084/206/44084-206-69f514fda28f40bd00b8b1736117d312-396×127.png
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/44084/206/44084-206-7dc4b2ad3a2da66dd7a9b6758d234be4-600×450.jpg At Expo 2025 Osaka, Emilia-Romagna showcased the region’s rich music, film, dance, and theater, demonstrating the vitality and strength of its cultural and creative industries to an international audience. Bologna – Featuring the Cineteca Bologna Foundation, Aterballetti National Dance Foundation, Orchestra del Casa Dei, Toscanini Next Orchestra, Cherubini Orchestra, and the Modena Civic Theatre Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as manga, which serves as a cultural bridge with Japan.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/44084/206/44084-206-38edd746d6cd498671c272b0f3b51154-600×272.jpg Comment from Emilia-Romagna Governor Michele De Pasquale “The cultural and creative industries are the heart of Emilia-Romagna, the language with which the region speaks and strengthens community ties. Our cultural and creative industries are not just Rather than focusing on a rapidly growing economic sector, Osaka is a region that combines tradition and innovation, and communicates with the world through music, film, dance, and the arts. The state actively invests in culture. It represents social cohesion, opportunities for young people, and regional development. It is one of the most dynamic industries that creates value and attracts investment. We will bring this energy to Osaka. This proves that our model enables international dialogue, builds new relationships, and opens up new perspectives. Culture is a passport to the future, and Emilia-Romania, a region that looks to the future while being aware of its history and heritage, is its identity. It is a valuable asset that speaks to the region’s identity. It has proven to be one of the most dynamic industries generating value, employment, and international appeal. ●Traditional Dance of Emilia-Romagna At the 2025 Osaka Expo, Emilia-Romagna will be the center of dance and music, where traditions live on and evolve. style=”font-size:16px;line-height:28px;padding:0;word-break:break-all;”> We introduced some of the most representative artists. At the Osaka Expo, the Italian popular dance music “Riccio” enjoyed great success in Japan! Riccio is a genre of music that originated in Italy, particularly in the Emilia-Romagna region. Orchestra Casadei, a symbol of Riscio, performed popular music. Led by Mirko Casadei, the orchestra has brought the tradition, which dates back to 1928, to the international stage, preserving the spirit of its origins while also incorporating Italian and international artists. From the Giova Beach Party and Sanremo to Osaka, the orchestra continues to captivate new generations and new audiences as ambassadors of a genre that combines celebration, dance, and cultural identity. Also at the Italian Pavilion, Aterbaretto, the National Choreographic Center, presented a contemporary dance piece titled “The Battle of Tankard and Clorinda.” This contemporary reinterpretation of the works of Monteverdi and Tasso features two dancers, Alessia Giacomelli and Kiran Gesells, who explore the conflicts of love and war through physical expression, choreographed by Philip Kratz and directed by Fabio Czerstic. The original music is by Monteverdi. Based in Fonderia, Reggio Emilia, the Foundation was recognized by the Ministry of Culture as the first National Choreographic Center in 2022. It is a creative hub that combines production, research, and inclusion, and has received acclaim from major international theaters and festivals. Its founding members are the Emilia-Romagna Region and the City of Reggio Emilia. Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/44084/206/44084-206-fe094f50786e3883a2e283378f6b3888-921×658.jpg ●Traditional Music of Emilia-Romagna Symphonic and chamber music were represented by “Toscanini Academy NEXT,” a Parma-based young orchestra under the age of 35, born from the experience of the Toscanini Foundation. With support from the state and city, this is a training lab for over 50 young musicians who perform a wide range of genres, from classical to jazz, electro, and film music. The Italian Pavilion hosted a concert entitled “Miglia Romagna: A Mosaic of Sounds, Echoes of History and Tradition,” showcasing works by Verdi, Nino Rota, Fellini, and Casadei, from lyric repertoire to popular music, presented as a journey through the music of the Italian Pavilion. Also performing on the Italian Pavilion’s stage were the Luigi Cherubini Youth Orchestra (founded in 2004, this orchestra trains young musicians under the age of 30 and is based in Ravenna and Piacenza), founded by Riccardo Muti, and the Modena Civic Theatre Philharmonic Orchestra, launched in 2022 under the direction of Hirofumi Yoshida (dedicated to Luciano Pavarotti and Mirella Freni, it combines established and young musicians). About the Cultural and Creative Industries of Emilia-Romagna In addition to film, dance, and music (orchestras and excellent foundations), manga is also used as a cultural bridge. Culture & Creative The creative industry (ICC) accounts for 3.8% of the regional economy and generates €5.6 billion in added value. Live Performance The entertainment, film production, and creative industries are growing. More than 21,600 performances are expected to take place in 2023, and the Emilia-Romagna Regional Government is supporting more than 150 projects. This sector, which will generate €5.6 billion in added value in 2023 and account for 3.8% of the regional economy, has experienced sustained growth in recent years, driven by film production and live performance. In 2023, Emilia-Romagna’s cultural and creative industries (ICC) generated €5.6 billion in added value, accounting for 3.8% of the regional economy. Creative services (IT, architecture and engineering design,
advertising, etc.) accounted for the largest share, employing 59,800 people (58.4%), followed by culture, arts and entertainment with 17,800 (17.4%) and media and cultural industries (film, video, television, radio, publishing and printing) with 15,500 (15.1%). Household consumption also underscores the sector’s importance, with spending expected to exceed €3 billion in 2023, accounting for 3.3% of the region’s total. The majority of this, €1.6 billion (52.7%), was spent by creative services, arts and entertainment, libraries, archives and museums, while film, video, television, radio and music accounted for €368 million (12.2%). ●Film Industry In 2023,
Emilia-Romagna’s film industry, like the national trend, will endure the most difficult period of the pandemic. After crossing the threshold, the industry showed clear signs of recovery. Compared to 2022, the number of screenings increased by 12.9%, attendance increased by 52%, and spending increased by 56.5%. While still not yet at pre-pandemic levels, this is a clear turnaround. The region ranks third in the country in terms of number of screenings (208,941 screenings in 2023), after Lombardy and Lazio, and is also third in terms of absolute spending. It also ranks third in audience numbers and second in ticket sales per 100,000 inhabitants, at 164. Public support also contributes to the industry’s sustainability: in 2023, the region allocated €5.6 million to two calls to promote production and distribution. Internationally, exports of film, video, and television products are expected to exceed €17 million in 2024. Between 2021 and 2023, the Emilia-Romagna Film Commission, one of Italy’s most active regional film commissions, provided €8.4 million to 172 productions. In addition to economic data, film and video also generate economic benefits related to hospitality, tourism, and the utilization of cultural heritage. Examples include eight themed tourist routes dedicated to artists, from Fellini’s Rimini to Pasolini’s Bologna and Michelangelo Antonioni’s Emilia-Romagna, as well as a network of 28 film festivals and 18 screenings throughout the province. Led by the internationally acclaimed Bologna Cineteca Foundation, the region is home to 28 film festivals, 18 screenings, and one of Italy’s most active regional film commissions. In 2023, over 21,600 performances will be held, a double-digit increase compared to 2022. The regional government is supporting 153 projects. One hundred historic theaters and outstanding theater and dance companies also contribute to this cultural heritage, while the only national choreographic center, the Aterbaretti National Dance Foundation, is acclaimed worldwide. ●Musical Entertainment From Verdi to the great film composers of the 20th century and the folk music of Romagna, Risco It is an important element that connects tradition and innovation in Osaka. In Osaka, the Arturo Toscanini Foundation’s Advanced Development Program The Toscanini Next Orchestra, born from the University of Tokyo and celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and the Casa Dei Orchestra, Italy’s oldest dance orchestra, delivered a voice of tradition and innovation. In addition, the Cherbourg Orchestra and the Modena Civico Philharmonic Orchestra were invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to represent the rich classical music tradition. The state also continues to support Riscio’s candidacy for inscription on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. ●Manga Content Business In addition to classical expressions, innovative aspects of regional culture are also expressed in video games, design, publishing, and manga. Manga serves as an important cultural bridge to Japan. At the “Mangaka I ” event held in the Expo auditorium, Keiko Ichiguchi, a Japanese manga artist based in Bologna, spoke. Andrea Accardi, an Italian manga artist who
reinterprets manga in a European style, spoke on stage, emphasizing the cultural and creative ties between Japan and Italy.
Representatives also attended from Osaka University and Seika University in Kyoto (home to the world’s only manga department). ●Liscio’s Candidate for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
Registration Liscio Liscio is a genre of smooth, flowing popular dance music that originated in Italy, particularly in the Emilia-Romagna region. The original meaning of the word is “smooth” or “smoothly,” but in musical terms, it can also refer to smooth progressions and refined performances. Emilia-Romagna is promoting the inscription of Liscio on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list starting in 2023. The official application to be submitted to the Ministry of Culture is currently being prepared, and in July, a dedicated website, , was launched to collect contributions, photos, videos, and testimonials. Liscio is also linked to a blog, social media, and an events calendar to encourage participation from the local community and enthusiasts. Between October 2023 and February 2024, a series of concerts and dance events will fill ballet halls, theaters and cinemas in the region from Piacenza to Rimini. Artists such as Mirko Casadei, Paolo Fresu, Extrariscio and Orchestra Senzaspine will perform, and a program called Santa Barera will be held for Generation Z. The season will renew interest in the historic orchestra, encourage the development of young musicians and promote interdisciplinary collaborations. ●Live Performance 2023 is the year when live performances in Emilia-Romagna will fully recover and reach pre-pandemic levels. The year surpassed the previous record. With over 21,600 performances, attendance reached over 5.3 million, a double-digit increase compared to 2022,
solidifying Emilia-Romagna’s position as one of Italy’s leading cultural destinations. Audience spending reached €150 million (a 26% increase from the previous year and nearly double the figure in 2019), driving the region’s recovery. Public support has also been
significant, with over €66 million invested from national and regional funds. Music received the most support, followed by theater, reflecting regional cultural trends. Parma boasts a strong music industry, Modena a strong theater industry, and Reggio Emilia a strong dance industry. Nationally, Emilia-Romagna leads the country with approximately 49 performances per 10,000 inhabitants, ranking third in attendance and total expenditure. Per capita expenditure of €34 also significantly exceeds the national average. Concerts were particularly notable, with attendance nearly doubling and spending up 152%. Theater and ballet also performed well, though opera has yet to reach 2019 levels. Indoor venue use also showed a notable recovery, with more than 11,600 events held in theaters and auditoriums, attracting more than 3 million attendees (51% increase over 2022). Outdoor
performances saw a slight decline, but attendance figures increased. Employment also continued to perform well, with more than 13,300 people expected to be employed in 2023, a 9% increase over 2022 and a 13% increase over 2019. Growth was seen across all artistic, technical, and managerial occupations, with increased participation from younger workers and women. While fixed-term and seasonal contracts remain common, permanent employment has declined slightly.