The sessions covered the images of the Arab in the media, inter-cultural relations, translation of literary works and the literature of travel, to name but a few. The conference – which included a book exhibition, a concert, a film screening and a photography exhibition – was a live event with all the necessary potential to grow beyond the university into the public sphere of cultural activities in Milan.

Today sees the close of the current ‘World’s Fair,’ in Milan, Italy. The six-month-long Expo Milano 2015 showcased tech innovation, especially from Italy, and while much will be written about the cost and legacy of the event, I’d like to argue that the host country made a clever use of this opportunity to show off its startups.