The Yomiuri Shimbun
August 30, 2025
Kobe Shimbun
September 7, 2025
Musical Talk The Mystery of Sandalino?
August 29, 2025 10:30 - 12:00
Venue：EXPO 2025 Osaka-Kansai World Expo, Italian Pavilion Auditorium in Osaka
Planned and Hosted by： Susumu Shingu（Italian Pavilion Ambassador）
Performers： Takumi Seino（Guitar）, MIKIKO（Melodica, Vocals）, Kohei Konaka（Conductor）, Sanda Boys and Girls Choir（15 members）
Location： EXPO 2025 Osaka-Kansai World Expo ／ Italian Pavilion Auditorium
Approximately 80 people filled the auditorium.
Mario Vattani, Chief Representative of the Italian Pavilion, explained how important it is to have Susumu Shingu in a world where AI is rampant, to consider the meaning of art.
Susumu Shingu（Italian Pavilion Ambassador）personally served as the MC.
There were wonderful performances by Takumi Seino（guitar）, MIKIKO（keyboard harmonica, vocals）, and the children of the Sanda Boys and Girls Choir led by Kohei Konaka（conductor）. Between performances, Susumu Shingu spoke about the deep bond with the Italian Pavilion, the mystery of Sandalino who came from space, and the secret story of his birth.
All songs performed — Graffiti in the Sky, Starry Night（composed by TeN）, Beautiful Things, Space, Strawberry Express, and Sandalino's Song（composed by Takumi Seino）— featured lyrics by Susumu Shingu.
Takumi Seino and MIKIKO performed Strawberry Express, presenting part of a stage work inspired by the picture book Strawberry.
The performance concluded with Sandalino's Song, and we were asked to perform in Italian next year.
The Yomiuri Shimbun
Kobe Shimbun