Co-creating Cultures for the Future Week
The Italian Anthropological Masks
Italian Republic
As part of Expo 2025 Osaka, the conference “The Italian Anthropological Masks” aims to highlight Italy’s ancient traditions through historical masks from various regions. The event will feature presentations on the anthropological and cultural significance of
these masks, followed by an evocative parade. Among the featured masks will be the Mammutthones and Issocadores from the Pro Loco of Mamoiada, the Boes and Merdules from Ottana, and the ancient Dolomite masks of "La Zinghenesta" from Canale d’Agordo (Belluno).
This event offers a unique opportunity to introduce the international audience to Italy’s folk traditions and their crucial role in shaping the country’s cultural identity.
Discussion
- Traditional performing art
- Local community revitalisation
- Historical heritage
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese and English |
-
Track Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
-
2025.05.03[Sat]
15:00 ～ 17:00
(Venue Open 15:00)
-
- Venue
- Pavilion
- Italy Pavilion, also hosting the Holy See
Reports
【Reflection】
The “Italian Anthropological Masks” conference provided a valuable opportunity to showcase the diversity and depth of Italy’s traditional mask cultures to audiences both within the country and abroad. Masks unique to each region, such as the Mamuthones and Issohadores (Mamoiada), Boes and Merdules (Ottana), and La Zinghenesta (Dolomites), were introduced, with expert explanations of their historical and cultural contexts. Visitors expressed high levels of interest, commenting that they had discovered “a new and fascinating side of Italian culture” and found it “intriguing to learn about the differences in expressions and traditions between regions.”
Furthermore, the parade by the mask groups allowed attendees to experience the power and vibrancy of these traditions up close, deepening their understanding of Italian cultural heritage. This initiative reaffirmed that cultural events such as these can inspire other regions in their safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, while also demonstrating the potential for international cultural exchange to contribute to solving shared challenges.
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
This conference has served as a catalyst for strengthening connections between practitioners and researchers involved in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage across Italy. In particular, traditional mask cultures face challenges such as a lack of successors and changing methods of transmission. By sharing these issues in an international forum, new insights have been gained towards finding solutions. Moving forward, there are plans to promote more effective protection measures, including the digital archiving and online dissemination of the mask cultures featured at the event, as well as combining these with local workshops and training programmes for future successors. Additionally, knowledge gained through this cultural event will be shared with other regions to support their own safeguarding activities.
By broadening the universal value of traditional culture globally, these initiatives aim to contribute not only to addressing regional issues but also to the sustainable development of cultural heritage.
Cast
Speakers
Mario Vattani
General Commissioner Expo Osaka 2025, Ambassador
Born in Neuilly-sur-Seine (France) on 7 July 1966, he graduated in Political Science from the University of Rome in 1989 and entered the diplomatic service in 1991, holding posts in Washington DC, Cairo, Tokyo and Osaka, among others. In 2001, he returned to Rome as diplomatic advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Policies, and in 2008 he served as diplomatic advisor to the Mayor of Rome.
In 2014, he became coordinator for relations between the European Union and Asia-Pacific countries, both on a bilateral and multilateral level, taking care, among other things, of relations with regional organisations such as ASEAN.
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Antonino La Spina
National President of UNPLI
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Fernando Tomasello
Board Member of the Pro Loco Italia Foundation
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Raffaele Sestu
President of UNPLI Sardinia
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Franco Saba
Mayor of Ottana Anci Delegate
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Pier Luigi Petrillo
Chairholder, UNESCO Chair Unitelma Sapienza University
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More Information
Co-creating Cultures for the Future Week
The Italian Anthropological Masks
As part of Expo 2025 Osaka, the conference “The Italian Anthropological Masks” aims to highlight Italy’s ancient traditions through historical masks from various regions. The event will feature presentations on the anthropological and cultural significance of
these masks, followed by an evocative parade. Among the featured masks will be the Mammutthones and Issocadores from the Pro Loco of Mamoiada, the Boes and Merdules from Ottana, and the ancient Dolomite masks of "La Zinghenesta" from Canale d’Agordo (Belluno).
This event offers a unique opportunity to introduce the international audience to Italy’s folk traditions and their crucial role in shaping the country’s cultural identity.
-
2025.05.03[Sat]
15:00～17:00
(Venue Open 15:00)
- Pavilion
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
OTHER PROGRAM
Co-creating Cultures for the Future Week
