Expo 2020 Dubai: Italy Pavilion's 3D-Printed David Censored, MSC Virtuosa Launched

Expo 2020 Dubai, themed 'Connecting Minds and Creating the Future,' opened on September 29, 2021, and runs until March 31, 2022, with 192 participating countries. The Italy Pavilion, designed by Carlo Ratti, Italo Rota, Matteo Gatto, and F&M Ingegneria, features three inverted ship hulls reflecting the Italian flag and won Best Business Project of the Year at the Construction Innovation Awards. Its claim is 'Beauty Connects People.' Inside, osmotic walls made from recycled plastic bottles, a Leonardo atomic clock (The Perfect Time), a robotic drill for ExoMars, an Eni installation with microalgae lianas, a Bulgari chandelier with 350 lights celebrating the UAE's Golden Jubilee, and Mario Merz's Fibonacci sequence installation are highlights. A 3D-printed replica of Michelangelo's David is controversially partially obscured to avoid offending Arab sensibilities. The pavilion also features a short film by Gabriele Salvatores on Italian craftsmanship and a bergamot scent by Acqua di Parma. On November 27, MSC Virtuosa was inaugurated at Port Rashid by Sophia Loren, offering extensive amenities and sailing between Dubai, Sir Bani Yas, Dammam, and Doha. MSC is investing in new ships and a luxury segment called Explora.