"Monaco National Day": the Principality honored at the Osaka World Expo
Forgotten, for a day, the turbulence of Monegasque political life .
The Osaka Kansai 2025 World Expo – open to the public since April 13 – organized this Saturday, June 28, the "Monaco National Day" , as it does with other nations almost every day.
"These days aim to deepen understanding of their culture and promote international goodwill," says the Osaka 2025 organization.
An ideal scene for Monaco, Prince Albert II and his princely delegation accompanying him to Japan, composed of Princess Stéphanie, her children Pauline and Louis Ducruet (and his wife Marie) as well as Camille Gottlieb.
This one was deprived of Princess Charlene, Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella "due to the current context in the Middle East" , specifies the Prince's Palace. Because a Universal Exhibition is a dream opportunity to showcase one's country, and in the case of the Principality, to reaffirm commitments that are dear to it, materialized by the Monaco pavilion [our edition of April 25, 2025].
Open since April and already attracting 550,000 visitors, its route is divided into several thematic areas. Its theme is "taking care of the wonder" and its motto is based on the maxim of Commander Jacques-Yves Cousteau. "We love what has amazed us, and we protect what we love."
An olive tree for peaceBut before joining the pavilion site later in the afternoon, the Sovereign and his delegation first took part in the official ceremony at the National Day Hall late in the morning, after participating in another ceremony, that of tea, in the presence of the Japanese Princess Hisako of Takamado.
The Prince's Guards Orchestra opened the ball, the national anthems of the host country and the Principality were played, and the flags were raised... Japanese-Monegasque friendship was celebrated. A friendship hailed as a first step toward lasting international cooperation between the two countries. "The Prince symbolically presented an olive tree to the mayor of Osaka, as a sign of friendship and peace between peoples," the Palace announced.
Discover other culturesThe afternoon continued with a courtesy visit to the Japanese Pavilion. The Monegasque team discovered the breadth and diversity of Japanese culture... but also Saudi Arabian culture, as Saudi Arabia is hosting the next World Expo – and French culture. They were then escorted by the Prince's Guards Orchestra to the Prince's Pavilion, whose enthusiasm was praised by the Prince.
"I am very pleased with the success of this pavilion. The organizers have emphasized that there is a great enthusiasm [...] it is a great success and a symbol of the relations between Monaco and Japan. We will be celebrating 20 years of relations between our two countries, and the pavilion is an excellent ambassador for the Principality and the bond that unites our two countries," the Sovereign told Monaco Info.
And to showcase the Principality's expertise in many areas, the day concluded with a concert by the Prince's Carabiniers Orchestra, a performance by the Ballets de Monte-Carlo and the Princess Grace Dance Academy.
Before the official Saturday celebrations began, Japan and Monaco met for a football match on Friday, June 27. Monaco's Barbagiuans—chaired by Louis Ducruet—visited Japan for this Monegasque day at the Osaka 2025 World Expo.
Not to make an appearance, but to face former international players from the "Japan All Star Team" in a "United through Legends" charity match, the proceeds of which were donated to Fight Aids Monaco.
In Osaka's imposing Panasonic Stadium Suita, which can accommodate 40,000 spectators, after the kickoff given by Prince Albert II and ASM player Takumi Minamino, the Barbagiuans, led by Patrice Evra, Ludovic Giuly and Marcel Desailly, conceded the opening goal. At halftime, the Barbagiuans were down 3 goals to 2. But the representatives of the Principality fought back and turned the score around. Serge Gakpé gave the Barbagiuans the victory (4-3).
"It was a wonderful event, I'm delighted to have participated. I see that Monsignor is happy, as well as the princely family present for the occasion... so I'm very happy to have contributed to the success of this project," confided Ludovic Giuly after the meeting.
For Louis Ducruet, the president, this was the first time his team had traveled abroad. "I'm a big fan of Japan. Since I was little, I've developed an admiration for the land of the rising sun, particularly by discovering its culture and identity. With the Barbagiuans, I wanted us to be able to work abroad. Osaka is our first experience; the connection was established. It's a major challenge that we've managed to overcome, far from our usual habits."
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