(essea) Sicily inaugurated its own space at the Shanghai Expo today. The stand, which will be open until August 23rd, is located in the Italian pavilion, apparently the most visited after the Chinese one, with 30 or 40 thousand visitors per day.

Being the President of the Sicilian Region Raffaele Lombardo absent due to family issues, Regional alderman for Education, Training and Universities Mario Centorrino cut a ribbon at the inauguration ceremony along with Councillor for Cultural Heritage Gaetano Armao, European and International Relations Director of the Presidency Francesco Attaguile, Director of Cultural Heritage Gesualdo Campo and the architect Biondo. President of Science and Technology Park of Sicily, Antonino Catara and the Director of external relations of society "Strait of Messina" Fortunato Covelli also took part in the delegation.

The beautifully arranged Italian pavilion of excellences will host for one week some of the island's treasures: the sixteen silver vessels originating in Morgantina, the golden Phial found in Caltavuturo and six valuable sacred vestments belonging to different Sicilian churches. On show, also a copy of the rare 17th century volume by the Jesuit Prospero Intorcetta, originally from Piazza Armerina, whose translation of Confucius’ works represents a remarkable contribution to the understanding of China’s millenary culture. Italian authorities have also scheduled a homage to his grave.