Romania, represented at the Osaka World Expo through music

Romania is making its presence felt at the Osaka World Expo through a series of branded cultural events, with the "George Enescu” Philharmonic Orchestra, one of the most prestigious musical institutions in Eastern Europe, at the center of attention. Between June 24 and 26, the orchestra is performing three concerts in Japan, with the main event taking place on Romania's National Day at Expo Osaka, on June 26.

• Romanian music for a global world

"The Philharmonic's presence in Osaka is a gesture of national representation through art,” says cellist Marin Cazacu, the Philharmonic's director. In a global context, he says, music becomes a common language and a profound form of cultural diplomacy. On Romania's National Day (June 26), the Philharmonic will hold two concerts in the Romanian Pavilion: an official concert, in the presence of the authorities, with the national anthems of Romania and Japan and works by Enescu, Rogalski and Grigoraş Dinicu; an extended symphonic concert with Romanian and universal works, under the baton of conductor Gabriel Bebeşelea, with violinist Rafael Butaru as soloist. The program includes pieces by Enescu, Ligeti, Porumbescu, Rogalski, Dvoøak, Saint-Saëns, Wagner, Verdi and Bizet. "It is an important occasion through which Romanian classical music and our musicians are brought to an international audience, within an event with global visibility,” said Gabriel Bebeşelea.

• Romanian and Japanese concert at Toyonaka Hall

On June 24, the Philharmonic will perform at Toyonaka Hall - Osaka, under the direction of conductor Ciprian Marinescu, a Romanian who has lived in Japan for many years. The soloist of the evening is Liviu Prunaru, concertmaster of the Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam. The program brings a fusion between Japanese and European culture, including: Shin-Ichiro Genda - Four Seasons in My Hometown; Max Bruch - Concerto No. 1 for Violin and Orchestra;

Antonín Dvoøak - Symphony No. 8. "For me, this concert has a personal meaning, living in Japan and conducting an orchestra from my native country,” said Ciprian Marinescu. Romania's presence at the World Expo is consistent and diverse, including: Recitals by the Athenaeum String Quartet and Athenaeum Brass Quintet (June 25 and 27); Concert by the Violoncellissimo ensemble, coordinated by Marin Cazacu; Recitals by students of the National University of Music in Bucharest

• About Expo Osaka 2025

Organized once every five years, the World Expo is one of the most important global events dedicated to innovation, culture and the future. The 2025 edition has the theme "Designing Future Society for Our Lives" and takes place in Osaka, Japan's second largest city. The Romanian Pavilion presents a creative, modern and authentic image of the country, in which classical music takes a central place.