ITALY and CHINA

1.      Modern side of Italy

The enchanting word “Italy” not only includes the amazing long

history ---just like its counterpart, China--- from the splendors of the ancient Roman Empire to the Renaissance; it not only contributed Illumination of civilization and culture to all the people in the Western world, in ancient times and later; but also introduced to all of us of the idea of Beauty and Creativity.

Italy boasts of a nation top in the modern Western world in sectors of design and fashion. Italy is an open-air museum, and in this museum of immense art and culture one gains inspiration and creativity. The sense of beauty of every Italian is considered a vital personal quality, and with this quality Italians have gained great success in many areas. Everybody knows Italian fashion and design industry: great international enterprises of fashion play the leading role in the world, like Versace, Gucci, Armani, Zegna, and etc. Along with the fashion industry, and top design schools (in which talents from the entire world come to study and improve themselves in the art of design). Italy is a world leader in mechanics, advanced building materials and processing industries.

“意大利”，这样一个神奇的单词，不但包含了像中国一样悠久古老的历史—从古罗马帝国的辉煌到文艺复兴的璀璨，不仅在史前及之后的时期将文化、文明的启蒙带给了所有西方世界的人们，她也是一个美丽的国度，向我们带来了美和创新的概念。

意大利的时尚和设计行业在西方世界排名前列，她也一直以此引以为豪。意大利是一个露天的博物馆，在这个拥有无尽艺术和文化的博物馆中，意大利人从中获取灵感和创意。对于美的鉴赏力，被每个意大利人视为重要的个人素质，并且凭着这样的素质他们在很多领域获得了巨大成功：意大利许多时尚跨国公司在世界占引领地位，如Versace, Gucci, Armani, Zegna，等等；意大利还拥有顶尖的设计学院 (全世界的人才来此学习设计的艺术)。意大利在其他行业也处于世界领先地位，如机械，高端建筑材料，及材料处理工业。

2.      Culture’ s role in Sino-Italian relation:

As I’ve mentioned before, the nation of China and Italy both possess a profound history. These two cultures are distant but similar, separated but intercrossing, ancient but in the same time vigorous.

Exchanges and cooperation between the two countries are based on mutual understanding of the two parts, in which culture plays an essential role. Even between two friends, only when you know each other better, you can cooperate in various sectors of interest, and you share knowledge and success. Culture is the first step of communication, the bridge, and the ultimate goal.

如我之前所说的，中国和意大利两个国家都有着久远的历史。这两个文化相隔遥远，却彼此类似；互相隔绝又有所交叉；古老而又充满活力。

两国之间的交流与合作是建立在对于双方的互相理解之上的，在这其中文化起到举足轻重的地位。即使是两个朋友之间，只有当你更好地认识对方，你才可以和他在不同领域展开合作，共同分享知识和成功。文化是交流的第一步，是桥梁，也是最终的目标。

3.      Influence of Sabatino de Ursis and the family on you and your interest in China.

I have the great honor of being related to the family of Sabbatino de Ursis, and I am at the same time deeply influenced by this great relation, friendship and tradition of my family with China. Four hundred years ago Sabbatino de Ursis came to China as an messenger of culture and of the western civilization; and today I also dedicated myself to this noble cause, with my heart and soul, with the great love for this country, inherited from my ancestor.

我因为与熊三拔家族相关而倍感荣耀，同时我也被我们家庭与中国的这份关系、友情及传统所深深的影响。四百年前熊三拔作为一个文化的使者来到中国，并将西方的文明带入这个国度。今天我也沿着祖先的道路，全身心地将自己投身于这个高贵的事业，伴随着我对于这个国家的热爱。

4.      We know that there are a lot of artworks in your home in Shanghai, would you please tell me what is your favorite one?Why?

I love all my artworks, of course; each of them has a story and represents a meaningful memory. The artwork I would select amongst those displayed at home, is a pastel which I created four years ago: “Prometheus”, bearing a calligraphy from a poem of the French surrealists.

       I like the myth of the man who stole the Fire from the gods and donated it for the sake of mankind, thus being persecuted for ever.

       It reminds me of the duty we all have to care for the others and to make our effort sacred.

当然，我热爱我所有的艺术作品。每一份作品后面都有一个故事，代表着一份珍贵的回忆。如果要在我家里陈列的作品中选出一件的话，我会选择一份我四年前创作的彩粉画“普罗米修斯”，上面还有法国超现实主义诗人的诗歌。

       我喜欢这个从诸神那里盗取圣火的男人的神话。他把火奉献给了人类，从此受到永久的惩罚。

       他使我想起我们的义务，去关心他人, 并使我们的努力更加神圣。

5.      What do you think are the similarities and differences between China and Italy in the life style?

Although geographically distant our two countries are, still our two peoples share many similar characteristics, some of which surprisingly correspondent. For example the idea and importance of family: we all give great importance to our family, sharing together joy and honor, pain and encouragement. The harmony of family means a lot to every family member. Another similarity is the incredible creativity and energy of our two nations. Both with a long history on the back, we still remain energetic and active in the modern world.

As for the diversity of our two peoples, the first thing that comes into my mind is the uniqueness of their respective styles of life. As is famed in the entire world, the Italian people have their unique lifestyle, characterized by passion for beauty; Our Chinese friends have gained their own merit and reputation by showing to all the people in the world, their diligence and impressive seriousness in all their endeavors.   

尽管我们两个国家地理相隔遥远，两个人民之间拥有很多相似的地方，在某些特点上惊人地雷同。例如我们对于家庭概念的重视：我们都对于家庭予以很大的重视，在一起共同分享喜悦与荣耀，痛苦与相互鼓励。家庭的和谐对于每一个家庭成员来说意义重大。另一个相似点是我们两个都具有的神奇般的创造力与能量。我们均在身后拥有漫长的历史，但同时我们仍在现代社会中扮演着活跃与积极的角色。

至于两个民族的不同点，我第一个想到的是他们各自独特的生活方式。意大利人民拥有他们独特的生活方式，这点为全世界所知。这种生活方式最重要的特点便是对于美的热情。而中国的朋友们也以他们值得称道的勤劳，及在工作中惊人的认真精神，获得了世界人民的赞誉。

6.      How would you interpret Italian Design?

As I’ve mentioned before, the design spirit of the Italians can be considered a in-born attribute. In our daily life and work, we do not only carry out the work in order to do it “well”, but also use our talents to do it “pretty”, devoting all our heart and soul in the work, as if we are making a piece of art. That’s why, from city architecture, spoon to noodle, all that “made in Italy” have a strong art impression. Every single product “Made In Italy” is the representation of the Italian Design Spirit.

如我之前所提，意大利人的设计精神可以被视作一种内在天赋。在我们日常的生活与工作中，我们不仅仅抱着做“好”一件事的态度，更多而是尽我们所能地，创造性地去把事情做“漂亮”，就像是在制作一件艺术品一样。这就是为什么，从城市建筑到汤勺意面，所有这些“意大利制造”的产品都有着很强的艺术感染力，因为他们都是意大利设计精神的代表。

7.      Culture communications, first as non profitable, now also interest involved. Which role do you suppose is this kind of activity playing in culture communication?

We now live in a globalized village, and the economic growth is the main issue of every country and everyone involved in modern society. The involvement of economics in art is also an important way of promotion. “Culture is lifestyle, lifestyle is business”: through culture and art, we can learn a new way of life, and to reach a better life, we work through business. At the same time business activities will enhance the creation of more art and inspiration, which is always welcome.  

我们如今居住在一个地球村里，经济发展这一议题涉及到每个现代社会的国家及个体。经济活动参与到艺术领域这一方式也是一种重要的推广方式。“文化即生活方式，生活方式及商机”：通过文化和艺术，我们了解到新的生活方式，为了达到更好的生活品质，我们进行商业活动。同时商业运作也会刺激更多艺术和灵感的产生，也是非常欢迎的。