29/11/2013
Lebanon signs contract for Expo Milano 2015 to take part in Bio-Mediterranean Cluster
Middle Eastern furniture, marketplace and bow windows. Lebanon will take part in the Bio-Med Cluster at Expo Milano 2015 with an exhibition space inspired by its architectural and culinary tradition. The theme statement “Cuisine, the Lebanese Art & Soul” was presented by Commissioner-General for Lebanon, Simon Jabbour, head of the Department of Exhibitions and Fairs at Lebanon’s Ministry of Economy and Trade, who signed on Tuesday afternoon the contract for participation in the 2015 Universal Exhibition along with Commissioner of the Government of Italy for Expo Milano 2015, Giuseppe Sala.
The ceremony was held during the celebrations of the Lebanese national holiday at which Consul General of Lebanon in Italy, Walid Haidar, took part.
The Republic of Lebanon will have an exhibition space of 125 square metres, where it will offer to the visitors an educational and interactive experience through handmade products and typical dishes.
The clusters represent one of the main innovations introduced by Expo Milano 2015. They are nine pavilions that gather under the same project many countries that produce a particular food such as coffee, rice, cocoa, cereals and tubers, spices, fruits and pulses or are interested in developing a specific theme such as Bio-Mediterranean, Food and Nutrition in Arid Zones and Islands, Sea and Food.
The architectural concept of the Bio-Mediterranean Cluster entitled “The White Dream” makes reference to the theme of the white sea beloved by the Mediterranean people, highlighting the multiculturality of this geographical area: the sea, which is a large joint space of the project, keeps together the different cultural identities and hosts exhibitions, marketplace and events. Four cuisines, islands in the sea, enhance the bio-Mediteranean food experience.
“Our presence in this cluster will be a tribute to the Lebanese soul of the Mediterranean”, Simon Jabbour said. “Lebanon is located in the easternmost corner of the Mediterranean, in the Fertile Crescent, where the eastern civilisation was created. The cuisine of this antique land is rich and is part of the history; it is easy to find oriental and western influencies. Even if Lebanon is not a big country, it suceeded in contributing very much to the modern Middle Eastern cuisine. The Lebanese introduced foods from other cultures in their diet and started producing food according to a special method. For that reason, we consider that the food is a celebration of the life: it is fresh, tasty, various and energizing. The food is a source of pleasure, reassurance and security, a symbol of hospitality and social status, it has a religious meaning,” Jabbou explained. The Bio-Mediterranean Cluster will insert Lebanon in its natural context. We will explain how in terms of art, literature, history and sociology, the cuisine could be a way to present our traditions and our culture and how they are related to our style of living. On the other hand, the food is an essential and constant part of the Lebanese art and of various cultural activities. The Lebanese have proven their cooking mastery and have praised it through words (in literature and poems), colours (in pictures and photos), artistic movements and expressions (dance and theatre), focusing on generosity, hospitality and cordiality”, Jabbour added.
“Lebanon will have the important task to represent at Expo Milano 2015 the Middle Eastern area of the Mediterranean Sea,” Giuseppe Sala said. “The cultural, artistic and historic richness which characterises this country and which will be the main subject of its exhibition space, will represent one of the most striking elements for the cluster’s visitors. The cluster intended for the bio-Mediterranean will be one of the feathers in the cap of Expo Milano 2015: it will narrate the rich heritage of experiences, cultures and traditions of a very productive and creative region, which succeeded in benefiting from the resources offered by the territory, thus improving the quality of its products through work, a carefull observation and brilliant solutions. We are sure that Lebanon will contribute for this cluster to become a place for dialogue and unique discussion on the future development and growth of the area where we ourselves are living”, Giuseppe Sala explained.
