ENNA, Italy, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) — A commemorative program in Sicily has brought new attention to one of the earliest connections between China and Europe.
More than 400 scholars, students, and cultural representatives from China and Italy gathered at the Kore University of Enna this week for a series of events marking the 400th anniversary of the birth of Prospero Intorcetta, a 17th-century Italian scholar and missionary who produced one of Europe’s first systematic translations of Confucian classics.
The opening ceremony on Monday featured bilingual recitations of extracts from The Doctrine of the Mean by Italian students, resonating the ideas Intorcetta once introduced to Europe through his masterpiece Sapientia Sinica.
Cataldo Salerno, president of the university, said Intorcetta remains “a vital name in the history of Italy-China friendship,” noting that mutual respect and cross-cultural understanding “continue to underpin shared progress.”
University rector Paolo Scollo said that Intorcetta’s work has enriched exchanges between the two civilizations, dating back to the times of Marco Polo. He added that the university will expand cooperation with Chinese institutions to foster new generations of partners.
Chinese Ambassador to Italy Jia Guide highlighted the steady growth of bilateral ties as the two countries approach the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025.
From “a three-year sea voyage” in Intorcetta’s time to frequent direct flights between the two countries today, connectivity has transformed cultural exchange while preserving its spirit, Jia said.
Intorcetta’s story touched many attendees. Some expressed their appreciation of the historical roots of China-Italy engagement. “Both cultures value learning and ethics,” said Stefano Ciroli, a 20-year-old local student. “That makes dialogue not only possible, but necessary.”
According to Wang Qin, Chinese director of the university’s Confucius Institute, the ongoing program organized with local academic partners will run through mid-December. Seminars will be held across several Italian cities on themes such as civilizational dialogue and the transmission of Confucian thought in the Latin world.
