Press release | Italia Reloaded. Tradition, Aesthetics and Innovation between Taste and Memory: Sip of Italy

SIP OF ITALY

Siam Paragon, Nextopia 5th Floor, Community Centre 5A

April 23 (Vernissage) – May 12

The Italian Cultural Institute in Bangkok, in collaboration with the Embassy of Italy in Thailand, is proud to announce its victory in the fourth edition of the “Capitals of Italian Creativity in the World” competition. This achievement is part of the multidisciplinary project “Italia Reloaded: Tradition, Aesthetics, and Innovation between Taste and Memory.” As a cornerstone of this initiative, “Sip of Italy” explores the world of coffee through its cultural, social, and sensory dimensions.

Italian Passion: The Art of Espresso

April 24 – May 12, 2026

Presented by the IMF Foundation and EP Studio, curated by Elisabetta Pisu with exhibition design by Distortion Studio, this exhibition traces the evolution of coffee as a universal symbol of Italian identity—a focal point where design, ritual, and sustainability converge.

The showcase celebrates coffee as a platform for cultural exchange. It tells the story of how a daily ritual can bridge history, politics, industrial design, cinema, and social commitment, creating a unique link between Italian identity and Thai creativity. On display are 40 iconic objects by world-renowned designers—ranging from Alessandro Mendini’s “Oggetto Banale” to Matteo Frontini’s “Turbo Moka”—alongside historic professional machines from MUMAC (Museo della Macchina per Caffè di Cimbali Group), including rare models from the 1920s and the legendary 1950s Marte by Faema and Brillante by La Cimbali.

Vernissage: April 23

Program

15:30: Registration and Opening Ceremony.
16:00: Inauguration of the Italian Passion: The Art of Espresso exhibition, featuring an opening keynote by H.E. Paolo Dionisi, Ambassador of Italy to Thailand, followed by the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Atmospheric DJ Set: Musical backdrop provided by DJ Lazzaro.
Interactive Tastings: Espresso Academy Thailand and leading brands Morettino, Illy, Bruno, Vergnano 1882, and Corsini will showcase various brewing methods and classic Italian coffee-based drinks. Visitors can discover professional barista techniques and explore diverse flavor profiles. Additionally, each brand will partner with Nextopia restaurants and coffee shops to offer exclusive coffee-infused dishes and specialty drinks.

Sip of Italy – Lecture Series

April 23 at 18:00 | Massimiliano Marchesi, Coffee Specialist

Italian Coffee: Curiosities, Traditions, and Contemporary Culture

An introduction to the hallmarks of Italian coffee culture, exploring the traditions and rituals that shaped the “coffee break” into a global benchmark.

April 24 at 18:00 | Tomaso Mannu, Chef & Food Designer

Coffee Beyond the Cup: Culinary Identity & Product Development

This session explores coffee as a versatile culinary ingredient. From sauces to ferments, Chef Mannu examines how coffee influences food design, market positioning, and cultural storytelling in contemporary gastronomy.

April 25 at 11:45 | Tomaso Mannu, Chef & Food Designer

Circular Coffee: Sustainability and By-Product Innovation

An exploration of the coffee lifecycle, focusing on how “waste”—from coffee cherries to spent grounds—can be transformed into high-value ingredients like cascara, driving both environmental and economic sustainability.

April 27 at 18:00 | Fr. Bruno Rossi & Nalaw Jamoo (Laudato Si Social Enterprise)

Coffee as a Cultural Bridge: Thailand and Italy

The inspiring story of Italian missionaries in Lampang who introduced coffee cultivation to replace harmful monoculture. Inspired by Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’, this initiative empowers local communities while protecting the ecosystem.

Featured Performances & Workshops

“Jazz & Coffee” by the Bangkok New Trio (led by Bruno Brugnano)

April 30 at 18:00

In celebration of International Jazz Day, the trio—featuring Passakorn Morasilpin (Tenor Sax), Tanarat Chaichana (Double Bass), and Bruno Brugnano (Guitar)—presents a synesthetic performance weaving a dialogue between sophisticated sound and the sensory experience of coffee.

BimBi Italiani: From Coffee to Creativity

April 25 | 10:00 – 17:00

A full day of family-friendly activities organized by the global non-profit BimBi Italiani. Highlights include:

Story Time Adventure: “The Journey of a Little Coffee Bean.”
Bean & Bottle Workshop: Upcycling art with Wishulada.
Little Explorers: Learning how coffee becomes fertilizer.
Ongoing Stations: Coffee painting, sensory play, and a dedicated Book Corner.

Ajarn Tonk, Fortune Teller: The Future in a Cup

May 1 | 11:00 – 13:00 & 15:00 – 19:00

Master diviner Ajarn Tonk (The Precision Seer) performs tasseography (coffee ground reading). This ancient practice turns “waste” into a tool for intuition and creativity.

Satellite Events

“Hospitality in a Cup” at Bangkok University

April 24 at 12:00

Massimiliano Marchesi leads a masterclass for International Tourism and Hospitality Management (ITHM) students, exploring the history, technical processing, and the strategic role of coffee in high-end dining.

Professional Training Sessions