Dome and the Rising Sun for Expo 2025 in Osaka
The Holy See’s logo at the universal exhibition that will open on 13 April was unveiled. At the Vatican’s section, visitors will be able to admire "The Entombment of Christ" by Caravaggio, brought to Japan from the Vatican Museums. Manga artist Kan Takahama will be one of the "ambassadors" of the Vatican presence at the Expo. For the first time, the Holy Year in Rome will also have a manga-styled mascot.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – An image of St Peter's dome surrounded by the Rising Sun and a black stripe that hint at the Japanese Sumi-e ink painting are part of the logo that will accompany the Holy See's presence at Expo 2025, scheduled for 13 April-13 October in Osaka, Japan.
Archbishop Rino Fisichella, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation, and head of the Section regarding Fundamental Questions of Evangelisation in the World, presented the symbol at a press conference dedicated to cultural initiatives connected to the Jubilee 2025, which will also be involved the Expo.
"The image represents a happy union between Christian symbols and Japanese culture," said the prelate.
As previously announced, the Holy See will not have its own pavilion but will be present with its own specific and recognisable space inside the Italian pavilion. Its theme will be "Beauty brings hope", which deliberately relates to the topic of “Pilgrims of hope" that will mark the 2025 Jubilee.
"We intentionally used the verb ‘bring’ (porta in Italian),” said Archbishop Fisichella. “In this case, it has a double meaning: on the one hand, it indicates a dynamic movement, because it transmits access to hope; on the other, it refers to the Holy Door (Porta Santa in Italian) of the Jubilee, the 'door' that opens to welcome anyone seeking peace and reconciliation.”
The centrepiece of the Holy See section will be Caravaggio's famous painting The Entombment of Christ (La deposizione), the only work by the great artist held in the Vatican Museums.
For the pro-prefect, with this painting, “paradoxically we intend to convey a message of hope. In the face of the tragedy of death, we know that faith in the resurrection exists, true and real life given to believers in Christ."
The exhibition of great works of art will also be a feature of cultural initiatives planned in Rome for the Jubilee. In today's press conference, it was announced that it will be possible to admire free of charge Marc Chagall's La crucifixion blanche (White Crucifixion) at the new Museo del Corso from 27 November 2024 until 27 January 2025. This is one of his most beautiful works with a sacred theme, lent for the occasion by the Art Institute of Chicago.
As required by the Statutes of the Expo, the Holy See has also appointed four artists as its ambassadors to lend prestige to its presence at Osaka 2025: Etsuro Sotoo, a sculptor originally from Fukuoka who, while working at the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona where he discovered Antoni Gaudí, converted to Christianity (he will receive the Ratzinger Prize on 22 November); Cecco Bonanotte, an Italian sculptor much loved in Japan; conductor Tonomi Nishimoto; and manga artist Kan Takahama, internationally known for her series Nyx no lantern.
Another initiative in connection with the Jubilee also involves manga. For the first time, the Holy Year will have a mascot, which will help pass on its meaning to younger generations. It is called Luce (Light) and was born from the creativity of Simone Legno.
"It is depicted with the typical elements of the pilgrim,” explained Archbishop Fisichella, “the yellow raincoat to shelter from the weather, boots mud-stained from travelling, a missionary cross around the neck, the pilgrim's staff, and above all, glowing eyes, a symbol of hope of the heart".
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21/12/2023 14:56
09/05/2023 19:40
