EXPO MILAN 2015: ITALY RESTARTS HERE

Expo Milan 2015: Milan is the locomotive of the Italian economic growth.

Whilst I’m writing this article the President of Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella is closing the universal exhibition.

I have shivers running through my back watching the images on tv. This universal exhibition has had and will have a deep and historical meaning for the whole Italy.

Let’s go back with the time …. The year was 2008, my first year of university at Bocconi and walking along Piazza Duomo in Milan, I saw the advertisement of Expo dominating the whole square. We did not know exactly what it was and I clearly remember my thoughts: 2015 is so far and I am sure it will bring further prosperity and development for Italy.

Italy at that time was at the peak of its economic growth without knowing it was going into the greatest economic crisis that history has ever known.

The crisis from 2008 to 2014 has undermined the foundations of Italian economics.

I will never forget the air of distrust and instability that prevailed in Milan in 2014 when I decided to move in London. I thought if Milan, economic engine of Italy, breathes this air, how it will be in the rest of Italy?! The truth? A real tragedy.

So I moved to London and always from London I had to watch on TV the opening concert of Expo 2015. I wanted to be there, I had to be there and couldn’t held tears. That dreamed moment had finally arrived!

Since Expo began, Milan has breathed a new and fresh air, the confidence on the Italian economy is back at the top, our GDP for the first year will come back to positive. The world speaks about ‘ The Italian surprise’…

I have no words to describe the emotion seeing the CEO of Expo Giuseppe Sala with tears in his eyes, the President of the Republic Mattarella happy as a child during the song ‘Volare’.

Expo won his greatest challenge: It restored the pride and strength of Italy. As Italian I am deeply proud of my country today.

I leave you with some pictures of my experience from Expo…