A performance of Italian operetta, a joint China-Italy fashion show, and a performance by an Italian magician... The opening ceremony of the 2025 China-Italy Fashion and Culture Carnival was held at the Minghua Sugar Warehouse in Yangpu District, Shanghai on the 16th, attracting people to experience fashion culture in an immersive way.

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Italy. With the theme of "Time-Space Folding - The Innovative Riverside in Dialogue with the Eternal City", the three-day China-Italy Fashion and Culture Carnival will host activities such as a time-space VR (virtual reality technology) archaeological exhibition, an invited exhibition of Renaissance digital media art by Tongji University, a special exhibition of Italian rugby culture, and a drone show lighting up the night sky over the Huangpu River.

On May 16, the opening ceremony of the 2025 China-Italy Fashion and Culture Carnival was held at the Minghua Sugar Warehouse in Yangpu District, Shanghai. The picture shows Italian artists giving a performance. Photo by Fan Yubin

According to the organizers, the time-space VR archaeological exhibition will lead the audience through famous Italian archaeological sites with satellite images and virtual reality technology, allowing them to experience the integration of technology and history and uncover the secrets of a thousand-year-old civilization. The invited exhibition of Renaissance digital media art by Tongji University will reproduce classic Renaissance sculptures through 3D animations, exploring the rebirth of art in the metaverse era.

A 300-meter riverside themed market will also be held at the sub-venue along the Huangpu River. The "Masquerade Dimension Market" will display Venetian mask culture, the "Italian Food Corridor" will showcase more than 30 Italian food brands, and the "Fashion and Culture Market" will exhibit Chinese and Italian cultural and creative products. In addition, Italian artists Denise Barberi and Amerigo Marino will jointly present an opera performance, creating a dreamy scene of "Meeting the Huangpu River by the Tiber River" with Chinese artists.

The person in charge of the Italian Innovation Center said that the China-Italy Fashion and Culture Carnival is not only an art performance, but also an important opportunity for cultural exchanges between the two countries. The Italian Innovation Center is committed to exploring and introducing world-class art resources, and building a high-end platform for cultural and fashion exchanges between the two countries.

"From the dome murals of the Renaissance to the virtual sky of digital twins, from the ancient stone steps of the Tiber River to the steel bridges of Yangpu Riverside, this carnival is a dialogue between civilizations. It has built a bridge of friendship between China and Italy in the international metropolis of Shanghai, fully demonstrating the charm of fashion culture," said Shen Yi, an overseas committee member of the Shanghai Overseas Chinese Federation, in an interview.

Italian artist Carla Tolomeo presented her designed chair works at the carnival. She said that this is a rare opportunity for cultural exchange, and she is very happy that her works can be exhibited in Shanghai. She hopes that Chinese audiences can understand her creative concepts and Italian fashion art through this. (End)

Responsible Editor: Liang Yi