"Do you know the country where the lemon trees blossom?"

From 14th to 20th January 2008 Cologne will once again become Europe's furnishings and design metropolis. In a fresher, more international and no doubt more exciting approach than at any other event, the total of around 1,400 exhibitors at imm cologne and over 150 international designers' and manufacturers' showrooms in the entire Cologne municipal area will present innovative Lifestyle worlds along with a broad range of living room and bedroom furniture, mattresses, textiles and carpets as well as lighting and accessories. As a significant Design Event with worldwide appeal, imm cologne will present an outline of Italian design entitled "Do you know the country where the lemon trees blossom?". "With "Compasso d`oro - 50 years of Italian Design", we are bringing the Modern Classics of Italian Design to Cologne", says Wolfgang Kranz, Executive Director Koelnmesse.

Inspired by Goethe's trip to Italy, the visitors to the presentation created by Enrico Baleri and Luigi Baroli can symbolically set off on their own Italian journey. On both sides of a grass-covered path there are old stores with windows displaying items and objects, which present a symbol of Italian design, presented as valuable and precious objects. They include products from Alessi, Kartell, Cassina, B&B Italia as well as Italian classics, for example the Lettera 22 typewriter from Olivetti (1954), the Brionvega radio sets from Zanuso & Sapper, or the FIAT 500 from Giacosa (1959).

The Compasso d`oro Prize, which has been awarded by the "ADI Society for Italian Industrial design" since 1954, is the highest recognition bestowed upon a product, design, research result or an achievement in Italy. Due to the high level of awareness it generates, especially on an international level, the comprehensive Compasso d`oro collection is the most important testament to contemporary Italian design.