The Romania Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka marked on Thursday, June 26, 2025, Romania’s National Day through a series of events that highlighted the importance of tradition, culture and innovation as interconnected pillars shaping a more sustainable future.
The celebration began with a ceremonial tea service held in honor of the members of the official delegation. The moment, rich in cultural significance, aimed to strengthen the cultural ties between Romania and Japan, emphasizing mutual respect and openness toward each other’s values and civilizations.
The official ceremony was opened by Mircea Abrudean, President of the Romanian Senate, and Masakai Ogushi, Japan’s Vice Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, and commenced with the raising of the national flags and the performance of both national anthems. This was followed by speeches from the two officials, who highlighted the strong Romanian–Nippon relations and their shared commitment to deepening cooperation in key areas of mutual interest, including economy and trade, culture, education, and tourism, reaffirming the aim of the Strategic Partnership.
Guests enjoyed a cultural performance by the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Gabriel Bebeșelea, one of Romania’s most talented contemporary conductors.
As part of the day’s program, the official delegation visited the pavilions of Japan, Romania, Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, and the European Union. Ferdinand Nagy, Commissioner General of the Romanian Section, presented the Romania Pavilion, designed as a wooden magic box that offers visitors an artistic and sensory experience in the Romanian universe, blending elements of tradition, craftsmanship, and contemporary innovation. Integrated into the “Saving Lives" thematic zone and built around the concept “Romania, The Land of Tomorrow”, the pavilion represents a space where tradition meets innovation and technology. Guests were invited to explore how science and Romania’s cultural heritage contribute to shaping a safer and more sustainable future. During the visit, the Chefs of the Romanian restaurant Haru, Andra Grosu and Liliana Donici, presented a special culinary exhibition showcasing a selection of reinterpreted traditional recipes. The event offered participants an authentic journey into Romania’s culinary heritage.
On the occasion of Romania National Day at Expo 2025 Osaka, the Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in partnership with the Romania Pavilion, organized an Economic Forum under the theme “A Roadmap for the Next Decade.” The event brought together 150 Romanian and Japanese experts, officials, local authorities, civil society representatives, and entrepreneurs. Discussions focused on fostering connections between Romanian companies and relevant Japanese partners, with the goal of promoting investment opportunities in high-potential sectors such as IT&C, infrastructure, innovative technologies, agri-food, and green energy.
The day concluded with an extraordinary concert offered by the George Enescu Bucharest Philharmonic Orchestra, featuring a rich and diverse repertoire that included works by George Enescu, György Ligeti, Ciprian Porumbescu, Grigoraș Dinicu, Theodor Rogalski, Antonín Dvořák, Camille Saint-Saëns, Richard Wagner, Giuseppe Verdi, and Georges Bizet.