Guilin hosts China-Italy cultural exchange event

A cultural exchange event was recently held along the Lijiang River in Guilin to mark the 55th anniversary of China-Italy diplomatic ties.

Hosted by the Guilin International Communication Center and guided by local cultural authorities, it drew participants from Italy, the United States, Morocco, Ukraine, Nigeria, Uzbekistan and more.

Guests from China and abroad take part in the China-Italy cultural exchange event. [Photo provided to en.gxzf.gov.cn]

Themed "Cultural Dialogue, Shared Beauty", the event aimed to deepen China-Italy people-to-people exchanges and showcase Guilin to the world.

Highlights included Italian-style photography exhibitions, sharing sessions on local cultural and tourism integration, and discussions on architectural connections between Italian domes and Guilin's CIAO Hotel.

Guests tasted Guilin rice noodles and Gongcheng oil tea (a traditional Yao ethnic beverage made by pounding tea leaves, ginger and nuts). Long Fusun, national inheritor of rice noodle craftsmanship, said such events highlight intangible heritage's global value. Yao oil tea inheritor Zhou Liwei likened oil tea to Italian coffee as "energy codes of human wisdom".

Italian visitors praised Guilin's cultural protection efforts. Blending Lijiang River landscapes with Italian art, the event strengthened cross-cultural bonds, with Guilin vowing to engage in more international cultural and tourism cooperation for mutual development.

Italian visitors interact with intangible cultural heritage inheritors on site. [Photo provided to en.gxzf.gov.cn]