Azores debut programme at Portugal Pavilion of Expo Osaka 2025 - Communication

Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional

Osaka, August 14, 2025 - Thursday marked the beginning of the first of four days entirely dedicated to the Azores at the Portugal Pavilion of the Osaka-Kansai 2025 World Expo. Neither the scorching sun nor the heavy rain that fell on Osaka prevented hundreds of visitors from queuing at the entrance to the exhibition hall, many of them getting to know the archipelago for the first time.

The Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, attended the opening of the space dedicated to the Azores, highlighting the importance of the Region being present and fostering this dialogue between nations. 

"In Osaka, we seek inspiration. This is the stage where more than 160 countries and regions from around the world showcase their identity and share their perspectives on the future. We are also present at Expo 2025 to inspire," he said.

The programme provided visitors with a complete sensory experience, from flavours to music. The visitors, mostly Japanese, toasted with regional wines and tasted some of the archipelago's typical delicacies. On the table, handcrafted pieces were carefully admired, and exclamations of amazement were heard when viewing the embroidery, ceramics, teapots, the alcatra bowl, and many other pieces. The "marralhinha" (traditional board game) aroused the curiosity of the little ones, and the typical Corvo locks were handled with fascination, like a puzzle to be solved.

The "Viola da Terra" (traditional Azorean guitar), the centrepiece of the exhibition, could also be heard throughout the day, performed by Luís Gil Bettencourt. At several times, he handed it over to the most curious visitors who ventured to strum the instrument. At the end of the day, with Maria Bettencourt, a concert was performed that filled the room with people from various countries trying to sing along to "Olhos Negros" and "Pézinho da Vila," even though they did not speak the language.

"The Azores and Japan share a destiny of mutual discovery. The Azores' presence in Osaka is just the beginning of that journey," emphasised Artur Lima.

The Region is bringing to Expo Osaka-Kansai 2025 a celebration of the emotional ties between the archipelago and Japan with the theme "Between Hearts." It will be on display until August 17 at the Portugal Pavilion, already considered one of the must-see attractions at this Expo.

All updates on the Azores' participation in Expo Osaka 2025 can be found on the official website http://www.azoresexpo2025.pt and on the project's social media pages.