Official Opening of Expo 2025 Osaka: Inauguration of the Luxembourg Pavilion by Minister Xavier Bettel
April 13, 2025 marked the official launch of Expo 2025 Osaka and the inauguration of the Luxembourg Pavilion, themed “Doki Doki – The Luxembourg Heartbeat”. It is now open to all visitors for a six-month period, until October 13, in the presence of Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Since that day, the Pavilion has been open to all visitors for a six-month period, until October 13. Representatives of the various Luxembourgish, European, and Japanese companies involved in the Pavilion’s realization also took part in its inauguration.
Thanks to its immersive scenography, the first visitors have already been able to explore the diversity of Luxembourg society, its entrepreneurial spirit, its innovative ideas, and the natural beauty of the Grand Duchy. One highlight, especially for the Japanese audience: the Pavilion’s „Keelebunn“. A true showcase of artisanal craftsmanship, it embodies – just like the culinary offerings – Luxembourg’s unique sense of conviviality and way of life.
This opening day concluded in the evening with a concert on the Expo site by the Luxembourg boys’ choir Pueri Cantores, titled “United in Singing: Tradition and Innovation, A Harmonious Dialogue of Two Cultures”, performed in collaboration with the Ritsumeikan School choir from Kyoto, live on the Expo grounds. The repertoire featured both Luxembourgish and Japanese pieces, offering a unique musical moment that was open to the public. This marked the very first cultural event in the Luxembourg Pavilion’s event program.
On the evening of the opening of Expo 2025 Osaka, the official opening ceremony was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, together with the General Commissioner of the Luxembourg Pavilion, André Hansen, and the Luxembourg Ambassador to Japan, Michel Leesch. The event was attended by Their Imperial Highnesses Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, and Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru.
Naturally, the opening day also saw the inauguration of the Luxembourg Pavilion.
“The Luxembourg Pavilion illustrates many facets of Luxembourg: its traditions, culture, openness to the world, and its modernity. It will serve as a showcase for our country and aims to introduce the many faces of Luxembourg to an international audience. We are particularly proud of the circular nature of the Pavilion: the importance of responsible and respectful resource management is one of the key messages we are sharing through our participation in the Expo. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in bringing this Pavilion to life!”, said Minister Bettel during his speech after the inauguration tour at the Pavilion.
During this inauguration, the Minister also formalized the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the GIE Luxembourg@Expo2025Osaka and NestaResort Kobe, confirming NestaResort Kobe’s commitment to repurpose the Pavilion’s concrete foundation blocks after the Expo ends, contributing meaningfully to the Pavilion’s circular design concept.
The day concluded with several meaningful encounters for Minister Bettel – with Luxembourgish, Japanese and international visitors to the Pavilion, as well as with France’s Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Laurent Saint-Martin, and the President of the Swiss National Council, Maja Riniker, for a tour of the Pavilion and a game among friends of nine-pin bowling.
The Minister also welcomed a group of young members from the Pueri Cantores choir and had the chance to meet with students from The Luxembourg School of Hospitality and Tourism (EHTL), who are taking over culinary tasks – from cooking and patisserie to service – within the Pavilion. A perfect opportunity to discover their creative gastronomic talents.
Copyright Photos: GIE Luxembourg @ Expo 2025 Osaka I Ondrej Piry
