On the afternoon of July 17, 2024, faculty and students from the Italian Department of the School of Foreign Studies (SFS) at Nankai University visited Yanhua Chinese School in Florence, Italy, to conduct social practice activities. They provided vivid presentations on Chinese culture and engaging traditional Chinese handicraft workshops for the local Chinese community students.
At the start of the event, Mr. He Jianjue, President of the Italy-China Yanhua Cultural Research Association; Mr. Cheng Dahai, Vice President; Mr. Wang Chen, Principal of Yanhua Chinese School; Ms. Rita Carraresi, Principal of Sesto Fiorentino Third Comprehensive School; and Ms. Silvia Bertone, Vice Principal, warmly welcomed the visiting delegation from the Italian program at SFS, Nankai University.
The event comprised two main parts. First was a presentation on Chinese traditional culture, where students from the Italian Department introduced the four quintessential aspects of Chinese culture: martial arts, calligraphy, Peking Opera, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Their meticulous preparations and vivid explanations offered students an enriching cultural experience. The second part included workshops on traditional Chinese handicrafts, specifically calligraphy, bead stringing, fan painting, paper cutting, and sachet making. Teachers and students of Yanhua Chinese School enthusiastically participated, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Following the event, the faculty and students from the Italian Department presented handmade sachets to Principal Rita Carraresi as gifts. On behalf of the Italy-China Yanhua Cultural Research Association, Mr. He Jianjue presented the Italian Department with an oil painting depicting the iconic Ponte Vecchio in Florence.
The Italian Department from SFS at Nankai University has now visited Yanhua Chinese School for two years consecutively. Both sides have expressed their willingness to continue strengthening cooperation and exchange to write a new chapter together.
The Italy-China Yanhua Cultural Research Association is an academic, non-profit social organization voluntarily formed by patriotic Chinese expatriates in Italy. Its mission is to unite Chinese expatriates in Italy and worldwide, promoting cultural exchange, integration, and development between Chinese culture and Italian, European, and global cultures. Established in 2019, Yanhua Chinese School in Florence is a part-time educational institution under the association, providing Chinese, Italian, and English language classes and art education programs primarily to children of Chinese expatriates in Italy. It aids in integrating the Chinese community into local society, enhancing mutual understanding, overcoming barriers, and also provides local residents opportunities to better understand China today.
