China, Italy pledge stronger ties

President Xi Jinping and his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella held talks Wednesday, pledging to enhance bilateral ties.

Screenshot: Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) holds a welcome ceremony for his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella before their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 22, 2017.
(Xinhua/Li Xueren)

The two heads of state agreed to develop bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective and advance the relationship to a higher level.

Xi called on the two countries to maintain high-level exchanges and close cooperation between their governments, legislative institutions and political parties.

China and Italy should synergize their development strategies and innovate cooperation patterns, Xi told Mattarella, who is on a state visit to China from Feb. 21 to 26.

'China welcomes Italy to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative,' Xi said.

Xi called for more cooperation in technological and industrial innovation and in the field of cultural heritage, promoting the building of culture centers and language teaching in respective country.

The president also stressed that China was willing to work with Italy to maintain world peace, development and stability through close communication on global economic governance, multilateralism and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the UN and G20.

'China supports European integration and hopes both sides foster China-Europe partnerships that feature peace, growth, reform and civilization, and build a peaceful, open, inclusive and prosperous world,' Xi said.

Mattarella said he came to China to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries and that Italy hopes for closer high-level exchanges and cooperation in trade and culture.

Italy supports an open multilateral trading system and will enhance coordination with China in international and regional affairs, Mattarella said, adding that Italy backs the development of Europe-China relations.

After their talks, Xi and Mattarella witnessed the signing of cooperation documents in culture, science, education, health, trade and innovation. Prior to the talks, Xi held a welcoming ceremony for Mattarella at the Great Hall of the People (Xinhua) 

Stolen in Amsterdam (2002), recovered in Italy, two Van Gogh masterpieces will be on the exhibition in Naples

Screenshot: The Local

Two Van Gogh masterpieces stolen in Amsterdam in 2002 and recovered last year in Italy will be on exhibition in Naples from Tuesday until February 26th.

The brief exhibition at the Capodimonte museum has been organized as a thank you to the southern city for the local police's role in tracking down the two small but hugely valuable and historically significant oil paintings.

The works had gone unheard of from the time they were stolen in a daring raid on the Van Gogh Museum until they turned up last year at the house of a notorious mafia boss.

The 1882 'Seascape at Scheveningen' and the 1884/5 'Congregation leaving the Reformed Church at Nuenen' were among the Dutch master's first oil paintings and, as such, are of enormous interest to art historians.

How exactly the paintings ended up in Italy remains a mystery. They were found in September during a raid on a property belonging to fugitive mobster Raffaele Imperiale, at Castellammare di Stabia, southeast of Naples.

The area is a notorious hotspot for the nefarious activities of the Neapolitan mafia, the Camorra.

The paintings were stolen in December 2002 with the thieves using a rope to get in and out of the heavily fortified building after getting on to the roof by ladder.

Giorgio Toschi, a general with Italy's financial and customs police, said the theft had ranked on the FBI's top ten of art crimes.
'More than ever we are seeing art works being used by criminals either as safe haven investments or as a way of making payments or guaranteeing deals between organized criminal groups,' he said at the unveiling of the two paintings on Monday (Source: The Local)

Key words: Van Gogh, exhibition, Netherlands, Amsterdam, Naples, Italy.

Palermo has just been named Italy's Capital of Culture for next year, here are the reasons why to visit Palermo

Screenshot: The Local

Palermo has just been named Italy's Capital of Culture for next year - but why wait until then to visit? There are plenty of reasons to book a trip to the Sicilian city right now.

'We have all won,' the city's mayor said after the announcement. He said that the most important aspect of the city's culture was its 'culture of welcome', referring to Palermo's efforts in assisting the thousands of migrants who have arrived at its port over the past few years.

But there's more to the Sicilian capital than its ports, and plenty of treasures await visitors. So here are ten reasons to head south and visit Palermo.

Rich history

Screenshot: The Local

This could be said of most of Italy, it's true, but what's great about Palermo is the way in which many different nations and cultures have left a mark on the city. Its strategic military and trading position attracted invaders from around the world, including the the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Normans, the Swabians, the French and the Spanish Bourbons, to name just a few.

Each group had an impact on the city's architecture, language and art, meaning the city's cultural sights are wonderfully varied and it's fascinating to see how each of these different cultures interacted. The Spanish invaders, for example, named one of the squares Piazza Pretoria (Square of Shame) due to the nude 16th-century statues of mermaids and nymphs - the name also refers to perceived corruption of city authorities.

Churches

Screenshot: The Local

The mixture of Western, Islamic and Byzantine styles is the reason many of the region's churches have been granted Unesco World Heritage status, and many are free to visit. Make the stunning Palatine Chapel (above) the first stop on your tour to see the ornate mosaics, and make time to stop at the cathedral (below). There's also 'the Church that isn't there', the name given by locals to the ruined Santa Maria dello Spasimo, which today is used for concerts.

Authentic Italy

Screenshot: The Local

Are you the kind of visitor who turns up your nose at tourist buses, or perhaps you just don't want to battle with the crowds at the Colosseum or Pantheon? Despite its beauty, Palermo is much less well known than the likes of Rome, Venice and Florence, meaning you'll often be forced to practise your Italian. All the more reason to visit now before it takes on the mantle of Italy's cultural capital and tourists finally dicover it.


The markets

Screenshot: The Local

Remember what we said about Palermo's importance as a trading centre? That spirit still lives on in the city's lively markets, Vucciria (meaning 'chatter' or 'hubbub' - just follow the noise and you'll find it), Ballarò and Capo, where you can buy cheap food, vegetables and even cheap vintage clothes, all while inhaling the scents of flowers and spices and taking in the bright colours.


Botanic gardens

Screenshot: The Local

Italy's largest botanic gardens can be found in Palermo. Explore all 25 acres of the Orto Botanico - even in the chillier months of the year, the Winter Garden greenhouses are beautiful. More green spaces can be found at Villa Giulia by the seafront, a 19th-century landscaped park, the Villa Bonanno, which has striking palm trees, and the Giardino Inglese in the city centre, which is a perfect spot for people-watching as workers gather there during the long Italian lunch break.


Pastries

Screenshot: The Local

One delicious reason to visit the Sicilian capital is the food, so do as the locals do and start your day with a coffee and a pastry. The local specialities include both sweet and savoury treats, from cannoli (crispy cream-filled pastry shells) to sfincioni (a variation on foccaccia) to arancini (breaded rice balls), so make sure to try out a few different bakeries as you wander round the town.



Creepy Catacombs

Screenshot: The Local

If you like your holidays with a macarbre twist, head to the Catacombe dei Cappuccini to see the mummified remains of the 16th-century Capuchin monks and other locals who asked to be buried in their crypt - it became a bit of a status symbol. Years ago, families would visit the catacombs to pray with their deceased loved ones, and there are thousands of bodies there, in different states of preservation, and some set in particular poses.

Beaches

Screenshot: The Local

On a brighter note, the warm weather and gorgeous coastline are the main reason most tourists flock to Sicily, and many of the island's most beautiful beaches are just a short way from Palermo. Mondello beach - which you'd never guess was a former swampland - is the closest to the city centre and the largest in the area, while the quiet Arenella beach is in the very heart of the city but rarely busy. 

Great day trips

Screenshot: The Local

As Sicily's capital, Palermo is the island's main travel hub, and you can explore the region by hopping on a train at the central station to explore the quaint towns and villages dotted around the coast, or head to one of the island's cultural treasure troves, Cefalu, Messina, or Taormina. Alternatively, you can take the ferry to Naples, Sardinia or Genova, or a long-distance train to mainland Italy to extend your trip.

Off the beaten track

Screenshot: The Local

Palermo is small enough to explore on foot, meaning you can take plenty of detours to duck down sidestreets and take a closer look at curiosities you pass on the way. There are no shortage of quirky sights in Palermo, from the firefighters' headquarters, which is a striking example of fascist-era art deco design tucked in amongst ancient buildings. Make sure you take the hike (or the bus, for a more relaxed journey) to the Sanctuary of Santa Rosilia, a church and convent carved into a cave at the top of a hill (Source: The Local)

Key words: Palermo, Sicily, culture, art, history, travel.

Sino-Italian cooperation in the construction of 'One Belt, One Road'

China pavilion, the second largest foreign pavilion built at Expo Milano 2015, opened to the public on May 1st with a duration of six months in Milan.[Photo/Xinhua]

The year was 2015.

Due to the 45th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties during Milan Expo, two countries signed a memorandum between Chinese provinces and regions of Italy.

Tourism exchange and cooperation was at the center of a memorandum. 

Provincial representatives of Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, Henan, Shandong and Shanghai signed the memorandum with those of 10 major regions of Italy including Lombardy, whose capital is Milan, Tuscany and Sicily.

The memorandum included policies to encourage the interactions among peoples, provide mutual supports, organize staff trainings and reinforce new media applications in various fields.

This was a significant part of the "Belt and Road" initiatives introduced by Chinese President Xi Jinping to boost transport infrastructure building, investment and trade facilitation, financial cooperation and cultural exchanges between Asia, home of the second largest economy in the world China, and Europe.

"Italy is the convergence point between the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Thus the Sino-Italian cooperation in the construction of One Belt, One Road will be a reference for all countries along the route," Liaison of China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) Fan Wenming pointed out.

In 2014, the number of Chinese tourists traveling abroad increased by 19.5 percent year on year to 109 million, topping a threshold of 100 million for the first time in history, according to CNTA.

Onofrio Cutaia, Director General for tourism policies of the Italian Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MIBACT), said "The rise of China and connected demand for tourism arouse great expectations."
"The strong increase of outbound tourism has made China a great exporter of tourists," he added.

Cutaia stressed the role of tourism in the global economy as a key driver for investments and employment, and promoter for industrial growth.

In today's globalized and technological world, he said, tourism is a multifaceted phenomenon with huge potential of development.
For this reason, he underlined, Italy, the country with highest number of UNESCO world culture sites besides to more than 6,000 palaces and castles and nearly 4,000 protected natural areas, cannot miss the opportunity to strengthen tourism relations with China by "easing visa policies, offering convenient and diversified solutions, and becoming familiar with the needs of Chinese tourists."

Driven by the 2015 Milan World Expo, as China Daily (Wang Minqjie wrote few moths ago) the number of Chinese travelers to Italy reached its zenith 2015, with 3.3 million arrivals, a 45 percent increase from the year before, making China now the fourth most important inbound market for Italy, after Germany, the United States and France, according to the Italian National Institute of Statistics.

Countries such as Italy offer what Chinese tourists are looking for, said Alastair Morrison, former president of the International Tourism Studies Association and CEO of Belle Tourism International Consulting. He cites as examples 'art and culture of historic cities like Rome and Florence; romantic destinations such as Venice and Verona; fashion and luxury shopping in Milan.'

Fashion and culture draw Chinese tourists to Italy.

He suggested the country capitalize on the fame and recognition factor of Marco Polo in China. Italy has long been a favored European destination for Chinese tourists, lured by its rich history, unique culture, high-end fashion and availability of luxury brands.

Still, do we really know each other well, or just enjoy art and fashion in some tourist transit without deeply understanding the way of life between two nations that belongs to different, not rarely far and distant, civilizations of East and West?

Key words: New Silky Road, China, Italy, Milan, expo.

Venice Carnival 2017: “THE BEST MASKED COSTUME” -THE CONTEST

"THE BEST MASKED COSTUME" THE 2017 CONTEST

Carnival of Venice, costumes
Image: carnevale venezia

BE PROTAGONIST OF THE SHOW! PARADE WITH YOUR COSTUME THROUGH ST.MARK’S SQUARE

Countdown to the 2017 edition of the Venice Carnival, one of the most awaited Venetian winter appointments which, from 11 to February 28, will animate the entire Venice territory, Mainland included, with many news to satisfy every palate: more than 150 events for children, teenagers, glamour lovers and costumes fans.

Creatum Vanity Af-fair, or The fair of vanity and beauty, the title of the event...
FESTA DELLE MARIE 2017 ISCRIVITI ALLA SELEZIONE

Carnival of Venice, costumes
Image: carnevale venezia

Do you want to parade through  St. Mark’s Square with your masked costume? The competitors parade on stage, defying each other by fantasy strokes and costumes, masks and wigs, feathers and caps in the double daily appointment.

And for the winners of the shows scheduled between Thursday and Saturday (February 23th-25th) the final on Sunday, 26th February is ensured. Great news for Monday, February 27th with two parades dedicated to the kids.

The participation is free, download and fill out the form and send it to the email indicated in the document. We reply with all the information to access the area of the stage in Piazza San Marco.

If you are suitable, please submit an email to casting @ carnevale.venezia.it with your resume, recent photos or links to videos not later than February 5th 2017.
"THE BEST MASKED COSTUME" THE 2017 CONTEST

Key words: Venice, Carnival, masks, costumes, contest.