On Sunday 23rd February 2025 the Embassy of Italy in Yangon hosted the first “Culture, Heritage and Art Fair”, a major showcase for the cultural promotion of Italy in Myanmar and a platform for exchange with local artists and cultural industries.
Over the course of a full day, the event allowed different facets of Italy’s artistic and cultural heritage to be presented to the Burmese public. The exhibitions “Under the Italian Sun,” “An Artist’s Eye, Italy through the travel sketchbooks of Stefano Faravelli” and the exhibition “Piazze Invisibili” were opened simultaneously: a triptych aimed at proposing an alternative look and a “slow” way of traveling through the artistic beauties of our country.
“In the context of the prolonged crisis that Myanmar is going through, we wanted to create an event that would be a window on Italian culture and a platform for exchange with artists and cultural operators on the ground, aware of the importance of concretely supporting local civil society with appropriate spaces of expression,” said Head of Mission Nicolò Tassoni Estense. “With this Fair, the Italian Embassy confirms itself more and more – among the Embassies here – as the main reference point and partner for the Burmese world of culture.”
In addition, the event was enlivened by numerous activities aimed at a diverse audience: the Bologna Children Illustration Bookfair was presented, prizes were awarded in a drawing contest for children sponsored by the Embassy and inspired by Italo Calvino, and concerts of Italian classical music and jazz music featuring Italian songs and traditional Burmese instruments were hosted. Finally, the Fair provided space for initiatives and meetings dedicated to the restoration of artistic heritage and urban and intangible heritage enhancement.
