Press Release
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february 18, 2015 - Expo 2015
Countries and People: Austria. The pavilion in the forest and a top-notch gastronomic offering
With the Participants’ Weekend taking place on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd February at the Expo Gate venue in Milan, the latest edition of Countries and People turns the spotlight on Austria. The Commissioner General, Josef Pröll, answers questions on the country’s participation in Expo Milano 2015, revealing some aspects of the “sensory experience” in store for visitors to the Austrian pavilion, with strictly non-traditional cuisine and 62.5 kilograms of pure oxygen produced every hour by the forest planted inside the exhibition space.
What is the Austrian interpretation of the Expo Milano 2015 theme?
Austria’s awareness of and great attention to its natural resources are perfectly in step with the general theme of Expo. The Austrian pavilion, Breathe. Austria, which is planted up with an actual living forest, focuses on the primary source of sustenance and one of the most important resources at the centre of international attention: air. Our contribution to the Universal Exhibition, therefore, also gives us the chance to showcase Austrian expertise across a vast range of fields, from science and architecture all the way to innovative environmental technologies, plus art and design.
What tools will you use to convey your take on the theme?
In order to create the project, our interdisciplinary team decided to take a new route, breaking new ground. Unlike other participating countries, the presence of multimedia technology designed for scientific and educational dissemination has been consciously reduced to a bare minimum in the Austrian pavilion. The reason behind this choice is that we want visitors to engage with the environment, so that they can enjoy a multi-sensory experience. Furthermore, we will also be present in Milan with separate, individual events and shows, for example in the sectors of design, cinema, music and architecture. We believe it is very important for us to manage to show the many different sides of Austria and to establish new contacts, while at the same time consolidating existing ones.
Three reasons for visiting your exhibition space?
The pavilion reveals the synergy between nature and technology and is intended, at the same time, to represent a prototype of a possible city of the future and an oasis of relaxation where people can take “refuge” from the chaos and bustle of the exhibition. Our pavilion also has a decidedly unique gastronomic offering: some of Austria’s top chefs have developed a concept that bases the entire culinary project on produce found in nature and in the forest. The concept will also be adapted to the “simpler” tastes of younger visitors, thus making a visit to our pavilion a thoroughly enjoyable treat for children and youngsters too.
What solutions will Austria present regarding the relationship between Man and nature?
With Breathe. Austria we want to focus the public’s attention on our primary source of sustenance: air. The entire exhibition space, covering some 560 square metres, will be planted with dense vegetation, with the clear intent of making breathing a sensory experience in itself. Natural processes will be supported by modern technology, enabling the production of 62.5 kilograms of pure oxygen every hour, the equivalent of that needed by 1800 people. Our pavilion can undoubtedly be viewed as an example for town planning for the future. A part of our forest is able to produce enough oxygen for an entire neighbourhood and, in addition, it absorbs CO2.
A personal memory of Italy?
I have many fond memories of wonderful holidays in Italy, going back to my childhood. The different landscape, on the one hand, and the hospitality and openness of the Italian people, on the other, make it an utterly enchanting country. Also, I confess to being a great lover of the richness and remarkable variety of Italian cuisine, which is another reason why I am particularly enthusiastic about the theme chosen for the Universal Exhibition of 2015, because it will give greater emphasis to Italy’s outstanding gastronomic offering.
In the context of relations with Italy, how valuable is your participation at Expo?
Expo Milano 2015 offers the chance to broaden the image of Austria that people currently have, introducing some lesser known aspects, hence it lets us stimulate public interest. Italy is one of Austria’s most important partners, for the tourism sector too. The Universal Exhibition, which this time round is being hosted in a country we look upon as a “next-door neighbour”, therefore represents a valuable opportunity to reinforce our already excellent relations and to give a fresh boost to economic exchange, trade and tourism.
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