EXPO 2015

Outside of Italy, not so much attention is paid to the upcoming world exhibition in Milan. But in Italy it's been on the front pages of the newspapers pretty much every day for months. The preparation of the Expo 2015 in Milan has been given a very Italian touch: Corruption.

I write it with a capital C, because it is not about some small amounts of money that have been shoved under the table here and there, but about large amounts. Fortunately, this surfaced and action was taken.

The consequence is that everyone in Italy is on the edge of their seat, anxiously waiting to see if all the preparations for the Expo will be completed on time. Una figuraccia (a bad impression) nobody wants to make to the whole watching world.

But that aside. I assume that outside Italy there is less attention for these 'typical' problems and more for the core of the World Expo who this year in Milan takes place. This time it's about food, so who isn't interested?

How could it be otherwise: the theme is 'food'

Nutrire il pianeta, energy per la vita (Food for the planet, energy for life) is the theme. On the website of Expo 2015 it is enthusiastically announced on the home page that everyone can come and taste the most diverse dishes from all over the world.

Food is very important to Italians, although in my experience they are not very enthusiastic about food from other cultures. So let's hope that many visitors come from other countries as well.

In addition to food, there will be a lot of attention for new technologies in agriculture and food processing, of course all with respect for the environment, because that is increasingly becoming a concern for everyone. The idea is that a lot of innovation will come to the table and everyone will leave with new ideas (and perhaps new flavors in the mouth).

What is there to do at Expo 2015?

In addition to a dazzling variety of dishes that you can taste, there are exhibitions, performances, congresses, performances, creative workshops and much more. The Expo 2015 (in the making) covers over a million square meters packed with stands about food, agriculture, technology and culture.

The Expo is organized in a new way this time. Namely by type of food and agriculture. The idea behind it is that it is important to share and collaborate. Previously, the division was mainly determined geographically.

You have the cluster 'rice', 'cocoa', 'coffee', 'fruits and vegetables', 'herbs' and 'cereals and tubers'. Furthermore, there are three other clusters that do not directly represent a type of food, namely 'bio-mediterraneo' (the area around the Mediterranean consisting of several continents), 'islands, sea and food' and finally 'agriculture in arid regions' .

Each cluster consists of a joint part and each country within that cluster has a stand in which they shape the theme in their own way. 145 countries participate, representing 94% of the world's population. Furthermore, many organizations are present, both aid workers and companies with a profit motive.

Practical information about Expo 2015

When is Expo 2015?

From May 1 to October 31, 2015, every day from 10.00 a.m. to 23.00 p.m.

Where is Expo 2015?

The Expo 2015 site is located just north of Milan, next to the new Milan Fair and very easily accessible by public transport (metro line 1). There is a stop of the high-speed railway (the stop is called Rho-Pero). It is also easy to reach and find by car, following the signs around Milan for 'Fiera'.

The center of Milan is also organized during the Expo 2015, so if you come to Milan for the Expo, don't miss the city itself!

What does Expo 2015 cost?

The ticket price varies. If you buy a ticket before May 1, 2015 (you can do that online on the Expo 2015 website), it's cheaper. The price is 27 euros per adult person. After that it will be 32 euros for an adult. Special rates apply for children and seniors. There are also 'family tickets' available. All specific information can be found on the Expo 2015 website.

Who is planning to visit the Expo in Milan? Let us know in a comment!