“The outcome is very positive, especially in terms of the number of visitors. We have received 200,000 visitors by now, after three weeks,” stated Joana Gomes Cardoso in an interview.
The Expo in Osaka commenced on April 13 and is set to conclude on October 13.
“We initially expected to receive an average of 7,000 visitors per day, but we are actually reaching 9,000,” she added, noting that this aspect greatly satisfies the organization, yet it is not the only factor.
“It is also the visitor satisfaction,” Joana Gomes Cardoso further remarked.
Regarding the nationality of the visitors, the commissioner-general lacks precise data, but “clearly,” a significant majority are Japanese, as observed on site.
However, possibly because the Expo 2025 Osaka began around Easter, “we had groups of Portuguese, more than we ever imagined,” appearing in groups of “50,” with many expressing “great pride” at the visit’s end, she confided.
Joana Gomes Cardoso was speaking on the eve of Portugal’s National Day, World Portuguese Language Day, and Japan’s Children’s Day, all observed on Monday, May 5.
“Tomorrow, we will showcase the best of what Portugal has to offer,” she assured, highlighting the inauguration of the Siza Exhibition, focused on the work of architect Álvaro Siza Vieira, who is “well-known in Japan and globally.”
The exhibition is curated by Spanish architect and critic Carlos Quintanas Eiras and organized in partnership with the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
It also features Dino D’Santiago, presenting “a contemporary Portugal,” to mark the Portuguese language, and in the evening, there will be a tribute concert to Amália Rodrigues with performances by Ana Moura, Camané, and Ricardo Ribeiro.
“Amália Rodrigues was the artist Portugal brought to the Expo Osaka in 1970. We will pay tribute to her” through these musicians.
Essentially, it’s about creating a bridge of 55 years between the first Expo of 1970 and this year’s in Osaka. “We wanted to pay this tribute,” similarly to what was done on May 1 with Carlos Paredes, “another artist present at the 1970 Expo Osaka now celebrating his centenary,” she pointed out.
Moreover, “we have attempted to build a bridge between what is contemporary Portugal, artists like Dino D’Santiago,” among others who will perform over six months, without forgetting those who were and still are the “great references” like Carlos Paredes and Amália Rodrigues, emphasized the commissioner-general.
Furthermore, another connection is made with Expo98, which took place in Lisbon and focused on the oceans. This year’s event in Osaka has the theme “Ocean, a Blue Dialogue.”
“This connection is embraced, as we wanted with the ‘Ocean, a Blue Dialogue’ theme to pay tribute to the historical relationship between Portugal and Japan, spanning nearly 500 years by sea,” she outlined.
“Undoubtedly, it honors Expo98 that brings the ocean theme into the international agenda and subsequently responds to this expo’s challenge to design the cities of the future,” the official continued.
Especially since the “future must be crafted through ocean protection, and this is primarily what we wanted to convey with this national representation,” she added.
Additionally, there is a “happy connection” with the Lisbon Oceanarium, born from an exhibition of Expo98, complemented by the coincidence that the same architect designed the large aquarium in Osaka, an aspect that piques public curiosity,” she recounted.
Portugal’s National Day at Expo2025 will also feature the presence of the Minister of Culture, Dalila Rodrigues.
For Portugal Day on June 10, the country will mark the occasion with a concert by fado singer Carminho, who recently toured several Japanese cities. Additionally, to celebrate Camões Day, there will be an initiative with Turismo de Portugal focused on literary tourism.
The Portuguese pavilion, designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, spans 1,800 square meters and includes two multipurpose rooms, a terrace, two permanent exhibition areas, and a shop.
The total investment amounts to approximately 21 million euros.
