EDITORIAL
symbol of Italy at Expo 2015 by Flavia Pankiewicz
2
014 opened with some more good news for Puglia. The symbol chosen for the Italian Pavilion at Expo (“Feeding the planet, Energy for life”), the biggest world event on nutrition to be held in Milan from 1st May to 31st October 2015, is the tree of life, the magnificent floor mosaic, almost 1.000 years old, in the Cathedral of Otranto (Lecce).
It has been identified as the symbol that can best represent the Italian artistic heritage while also referring to the meeting of different cultures. The commissioner of the Italian pavilion, Diana Bracco, has for some time focused on this element, seeing the tree of life also as a symbol that feeds and gives refuge and that connects the roots with the fruit.
The structure currently being built to reproduce the mosaic will be 35 meters high and will be constantly lit so as to be visible day and night.
Those who haven’t seen the original shouldn’t hesitate to plan a trip to the heel of Italy. The mosaic is in fact one of the most fascinating and mysterious works of all time. Created in the dark ages, it is attributed to the Greek monk Pantaleone. The tree covers the entire floor area of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata, and shows a great many scenes: Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the garden of Eden, Heaven, Hell, but also man’s labors, farming, the grain harvest, wine-making, grazing, etc., sixteen medallions with captions, animals, mythical and human figures whose allegorical meaning has never been clearly deciphered. For those interested in the subject, see the excellent article by Pietro Marino (go to article), published in the first on-line issue of Bridge Puglia USA.
In any case, this is an extraordinary opportunity: 141 countries have already joined the Expo. It will be visited by the world and through the Otranto mosaic, Puglia will be under an exceptional spotlight. This is another train we must not miss for the future of our region.
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