On October 7, 2025, the Romania Pavilion, represented by Commissioner General Ferdinand Nagy at Expo 2025 Osaka, made a special donation to the National Museum of Ethnology in Osaka (Minpaku). The donation consists of authentic pieces of traditional Romanian folk costume. This symbolic gesture reflects Romania’s respect and admiration for the Japanese culture and marks another moment of cultural diplomacy, bringing together—through craft and tradition—two worlds that share the same values: harmony with nature, refinement of detail, and the appreciation of living heritage.
The meeting, held at the museum headquarters, was attended by Mr. Seki Yuji, Director General; Mr. Fukuoka Shota and Mr. Hirai Kyonosuke, Deputy Directors General; Dr. Naoki Asada and Dr. Eriko Kawanishi; along with university assistants and researchers of the institution.
The donation includes a beaded embroidered blouse, a handmade sheepskin vest, and a pair of traditional leather shoes (opinci), originating from the Bistrița area and crafted by folk artisan Leon Burbulea—an authentic guardian of Romanian traditions. Created with patience and deep respect for nature, these objects enrich Minpaku’s existing Romanian collection and offer Japanese visitors a vivid glimpse into the artistry and craftsmanship of Romania’s rural communities.
Additionally, a copy of the album authored by Florica Zaharia—researcher and international expert in traditional textiles—was presented as a gift. The publication explores the subtle connection between the Romanian folk costume and the Japanese kimono: a dialogue between two worlds that, though distant geographically, are united by shared values—respect for craftsmanship, harmony with the environment, and the refined aesthetics of detail.
Founded in 1974 and opened to the public in 1977, the National Museum of Ethnology in Osaka (Minpaku) is the largest institution of its kind in Japan. Its mission is to conduct anthropological and ethnological research into the world’s cultures and to promote understanding of cultural diversity through exhibitions, archives, and educational programs. The museum building, designed by the renowned architect Kisho Kurokawa—recipient of numerous international awards—embodies Minpaku’s philosophy: architecture in harmony with the environment and the spirit of cultural inquiry.
Minpaku features a permanent exhibition dedicated to Romania, established thanks to the efforts of Professor Shinmen Mitsuhiro, a distinguished Japanese ethnologist devoted to the study of Romanian rural culture and civilization. Within this collection, visitors can discover wooden crosses from Săpânța, glass-painted icons, folk costumes, traditional masks, farming tools, and instruments used for church painting—testimonies of a rural world rich in spirituality, creativity, and depth.
Representatives of the Romania Pavilion praised the museum’s vision, which goes beyond the display of artifacts to offer a broader reflection on the relationship between humanity, nature, and culture. Minpaku’s exhibitions present traditional costume not merely as clothing, but as an expression of a way of life deeply connected to the natural environment, to organic fibers, to the rhythm of the seasons, and to the resources of the earth.
“We deeply appreciate this curatorial vision that emphasizes the harmony between people and their environment. It is a message that lies at the core of the Romania Pavilion’s concept at Expo 2025—Romania, Land of Tomorrow—where tradition, innovation, and sustainability coexist within a shared horizon of values,” said Ferdinand Nagy, Commissioner General of the Romania Pavilion.
Through this donation, the Romania Pavilion pays tribute to Japanese researchers who have contributed to the understanding and promotion of Romanian culture in Japan, reaffirming Romania’s commitment to supporting intercultural dialogue through heritage, art, and education—values that unite nations beyond borders and time.
On this occasion, the representatives of the Romania Pavilion also visited the Church of Light in Osaka, designed by the celebrated Japanese architect Tadao Ando, whose vision inspired the architectural concept of the Romania Pavilion at Expo 2025.