After the devastating earthquake that hit L鈥橝quila in April 2009, Japan pledged to rebuild the city鈥檚 destroyed concert hall as a show of support.
On Saturday, L鈥橝quila celebrated the completion of the new concert hall with an inauguration ceremony and musical performance.
The hall was designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban to replace the concert building that was irreparably damaged in the 2009 earthquake that killed 308. Japan paid for the 600,000 euro construction bill.
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi released a statement thanking Japan for their support and offering his hopes for Japan鈥檚 own recovery after the 11 March earthquake and tsunami that ravaged the country鈥檚 Tohoku region.
