The groundbreaking ceremony of the Italy Pavilion at the Expo Site

an artist's rendition of Italy Pavilion

Hong Hao, director-general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, addresses the ceremony.

Riccardo Sessa, Italy's ambassador to China, speaks at the ceremony.

Beniamino Quintieri, Italy's Expo commissioner-general, delivers a speech.

an artist's rendition of Italy Pavilion

Construction began yesterday on the Italy Pavilion for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Its design was inspired by the children's game "pick-up sticks," which is known as "Shanghai" in Italy.

The rectangular pavilion will be laced with intersecting lines - representing pick-up sticks.

The 3,600-square-meter structure comprises 20 functional modules of different shapes, bounded by the "sticks." They represent Italy's 20 regions. The modules can be assembled into smaller structures. After the Expo, the building will be disassembled and reconfigured.

Construction will be finished at the end of March, officials said.

The pavilion will present Italian opera, fashion shows and food for its visitors, said Beniamino Quintieri, Italy's Expo commissioner-general.

The pavilion will also make use of a cutting-edge construction material known as transparent concrete.

The Italian construction company building the pavilion may promote the material in China after the Expo, Quintieri said.

Hong Hao, Vice Secretary General of Shanghai Municipal Government and director-general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination and Riccardo Sessa, Italy's ambassador to China, also attended the ceremony.