Rome's Expo 2030 Loss Exposes Lack of Contemporary Vision

Rome's failed bid for Expo 2030 reveals a structural deficit in projecting a contemporary identity, according to curator Marco Bassan. The city focused on archaeology and mass tourism rather than cultivating a modern image. Competing cities Riyadh and Busan used clear slogans about change and the future, while Rome's messaging was confused and past-oriented. The bid video relied on stock footage of ancient monuments and generic images, failing to showcase recent architectural icons like MAXXI, Auditorium, Ara Pacis, or Stazione Tiburtina. Bassan criticizes the use of MAXXI as a mere event space rather than involving artists to envision the future. He proposes engaging under-40 artists to create public installations in disused police kiosks, erecting temporary contemporary monuments in historic piazzas, and appointing an assessor for contemporary culture. The loss is framed as an opportunity for a new generation of leaders to reshape Rome's global image.