"Recently, the opening ceremony for the “Centro Innovazione Italiano (CII)– Hui Wuzhou International Summer Camp” was held with great fanfare in the multifunctional hall on the third floor of the Shanghai People's City Practice Exhibition Hall in Yangpu District, Shanghai. Hosted by the Centro Innovazione Italiano, this year’s camp adopts the theme “Culture as the Boat, Youth as the Oars“ and welcomed over 60 Chinese and Italian youths to Shanghai for a unique journey of exploring Chinese culture and technological innovation."

At the ceremony, a traditional Chinese classical dance titled “Tender Buds on the Twig” captivated the audience with its elegant and expressive movements, embodying the poetic charm and profound depth of Eastern culture. The atmosphere then soared to a climax with a performance of Sichuan Opera’s signature Face-Changing art—“The Many Faces of Life.” The performer astounded the crowd by executing over a dozen rapid mask transformations in mere seconds, enhanced by dazzling costumes and enigmatic techniques. From valiant generals to whimsical clowns, the act vividly showcased the essence of Sichuan Opera and the rich legacy of Chinese performing arts. Through these immersive cultural displays, the campers gained a firsthand appreciation of China’s artistic beauty and heritage, adding a vibrant stroke to this East-West cultural exchange.

Xu Shunwu, President of the Centro Innovazione Italiano, emphasized that the summer camp is guided by three core principles: “Discovering Roots, Embracing Innovation, and Building Friendships.” He expressed his hope that participants would fully immerse themselves in Shanghai’s dynamic energy, gaining a deep appreciation for both China’s rich cultural heritage and its cutting-edge innovations—ultimately becoming ambassadors of cultural exchange between China and Italy.

Yangpu District has a strong track record of hosting summer programs for overseas Chinese youth. Zhu Ling, Director of the International Exchange Service Center at the Yangpu District Education Bureau, noted that the district’s past camps have successfully blended cultural immersion, technological innovation, and international exchange. These programs have drawn enthusiastic participation, enabling young attendees to broaden their perspectives and build lasting connections. Moving forward, the Yangpu International Education Exchange Center remains committed to providing high-quality platforms and resources to nurture the next generation of global learners.

The ten-day summer camp will take Italian-Chinese teenagers on an immersive journey through Shanghai’s historic neighborhoods, where they will experience intangible cultural heritage firsthand. They will also visit Yangpu District’s universities to learn traditional Chinese arts. These activities offer overseas Chinese youth a chance to reconnect with their cultural roots while building a vibrant bridge for China-Italy cultural exchange.

Moving forward, the Centro Innovazione Italiano will further deepen China-Italy exchanges and cooperation across trade, culture, education, and other key fields. Through these efforts, the organization aims to strengthen bilateral friendship and cultivate even greater achievements in Sino-Italian collaboration.

Text | 成佳佳

Photos | 成佳佳

Editing | 陈露 吕昊雪（实习）

Original Title: "华裔青少年齐聚杨浦，为中意文化搭建青春桥梁"