MILAN, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- There are many things that come to mind when thinking world exposition on sustainability which will kick off next year in Milan, and the foremost thought is probably on the inestimable value of water.
Venice, a city famous for its waterways, only 270 km from Milan, will be the natural gateway for a million visitors expected during Expo Milano 2015, which runs from May 1 to Oct. 31.
The Expo Venice Committee, a public-private organization which was created before Shanghai Expo 2010, has identified in "Water, Energy for Life" an interpretation of the Milan Expo's theme "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life," and is developing a variety of projects linked to water.
But what does water really represent to Venice? In his book "Venice is a fish," Tiziano Scarpa, a respected Venetian author and poet, has recounted the traditions around water in Venice.
"Venice was born in the lagoon, which protected it. But paradoxically, the city lacked potable water. That was the reason why the many squares that characterize Venice were built: in fact they were tanks for rainwater," he explained to Xinhua.
Designed as a necessary instrument to access potable water, these hundreds of small squares along with a maze of bridges and alleys became the main reason for Venice's lively social life, Scarpa said.
"The lagoon surrounding Venice and its dozen islands, the largest Mediterranean humid area, is a vivid, open space. Water goes in and goes out of Venice, cleaning the city and providing fresh fish," he went on saying.
It was thanks to this intimate relationship with water that Venice developed and survived through the centuries, the author underlined.
As for today, "Venice is considered one of the cities with the most advanced social environment at the European level," the president of the Venice marathon Piero Rosa Salva said.
For example, every year the wooden ramps on the bridges set up along the marathon course remain available for months after the end of the international event in order to make the city more user-friendly for the disabled and the elderly, Rosa Salva said.
"The delicateness of Venice has compelled the city to invest in the most fragile groups of residents as well as on the protection of its cultural and environmental heritage," Rosa Salva highlighted. Garbage management in Venice is also regarded as a best practice at the global level, he added.
Not only will the Expo Milano 2015 open and close in conjunction with two key events in Venice - the 56th International Art Exhibition on May 9 and the Venice marathon on Oct. 25 - but it will also be enriched by a global fair in Venice dedicated to water and its countless permutations.
The fair - Aquae 2015 - will take place in an area very close to the old town historic center and will host a variety of commercial, cultural and scientific events making Venice Expo Milano's eastern door to Italy, Davide Rampello artistic director of Aquae 2015 said.
|
