"Makün: The Mantle of Chile" arrives in Japan to dress the Chilean pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025
200 Mapuche craftswomen were in charge of the creation of this large 242 square metre mantle, which will be the central focus of the pavilion representing Chile at the upcoming world exhibition.
After arriving at its destination last Wednesday, February 12, "Makün: The Mantle of Chile" was received in Osaka in a ceremony that was attended by the ambassador of Chile in Japan, Ricardo Rojas; the honorary consul of Chile in Osaka, Hidetaka Koshikawa; the commercial director of ProChile, Nury Disegni; and the country manager of Chile at the Expo Osaka, Toshihisa Takasaki.
An important milestone for Chile's participation in the upcoming universal exhibition, which will take place between April 13 and October 13, and will feature pavilions from 161 countries under the theme "Designing the Society of the Future for Our Lives".
"Today we have the honor of receiving 'The Mantle of Chile', an incredible work carried out by artisan women, that, together with its high-tech wooden structure, will be the centerpiece of our pavilion at Expo Osaka", stated the ambassador of Chile in Japan, Ricardo Rojas.
"After an extensive journey that began on January 3rd at the port of San Antonio in Chile, today we welcome Makün," said the commercial director of ProChile in Japan, Nury Disegni, also highlighting the support of the company Noe Group, in charge of the transfer and installation of the mantle. "This work represents the diversity, inclusion, and innovation that characterize our country," she pointed out.
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MAKÜN: THE CLOAK OF CHILE
""Makün" is a word of Mapuche origin that means cloak or blanket (protective garment), which appeals to the traditional textile culture of the Mapuche people."
The cloak, approximately 242 m² in size, was a proposal developed by the CONSTRUCTO architect's office. After an open contest by ProChile in February 2024, it was selected to implement the interior architecture and facade of the Chile Pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025.
The design merges traditional textile surfaces with a wooden construction system manufactured by the Chilean company Arauco, using cutting-edge global technology. This union represents the contrasts that characterize the diversity of the country.
After months of work from 200 weavers from the regions of La Araucanía and Biobío, belonging to five Mapuche groups, the mantle was sent to Japan and is about to be installed in the Chilean pavilion during the first weeks of March.
CHILE AT EXPO OSAKA 2025
Chile's participation in Expo Osaka seeks to convey the determination of the Chilean state to position itself in the Asia Pacific. The presence of Chile will allow the promotion of its new sustainable industries, as well as strengthening the role of our country as a bridge to Latin America.
It also seeks to continue strengthening the strategic bilateral relationship with Japan, a country with which Chile maintains the longest diplomatic relations -since 1897- and with which there is an exchange valued at over 9 billion dollars.
"The milestone we celebrate today is an event that strengthens the bonds of friendship between Chile and Japan. Makün has finally arrived on Japanese soil as a symbol of cooperation, friendship, and mutual commitment between both nations", stated Nury Disegni, the Commercial Attaché at ProChile, during the ceremony.
"We are supporting Chile and we are excited that the expo will open soon so that everyone can get to know the Chilean proposal. I believe it will be something that will surprise many," added the Honorary Consul of Chile in Osaka, Hidetaka Koshikawa.
The Chilean pavilion, which will officially open its doors to the public on April 13, 2025, will become a standout feature of the Expo 2025, located in the "Saving Lives" sector, reflecting the country's commitment to addressing global challenges and promoting sustainable development.