There were 6,453 visitors to the Embassy of Italy in Washington for the EU Open House, the day on which all European Union’s Embassies open their doors to the public for Europe Day celebrations. Visitors, welcomed into the Embassy building designed in the 1990s by architect Piero Sartogo – with a shape that replicates the layout of Washington created at the end of the 18th century – were entertained by a rich cultural offering and a display dedicated to Made in Italy.
During the day, the photographic exhibition Bearing Witness by Francesco Semprini and Fausto Biloslavo – organised in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute and curated by Giorgia Rivera – was inaugurated. The main hall also hosted the interactive project The Golden Doors to Infinity by artist William Adair, consisting of four golden doors, inspired by Walt Whitman’s poetry. The University of Maryland was also present with its own stand, and with an Italian lecturer who presented Italian language and literature curricula, as well as institutions and associations in the capital area that contribute to the dissemination of Italian language and culture.
Information stands from COMITES and Italians in DC illustrated activities for the local community, while promotional videos from ENIT and videos on the Roots Tourism project, aimed at attracting travellers to rediscover their places of origin in Italy, were screened.
In the area outside the building, the main attractions included the Lamborghini car stand, and the two-wheeler stand, in collaboration with La Moto of Washington, with a display of three Piaggio Vespas (in the colours of the Italian flag) and models of Moto Guzzi and Aprilia.