On March 14, local time, representatives of China and the United States met in Rome, Italy. At a time when the international situation is turbulent and China and the United States are attracting worldwide attention, every move will attract people's attention, and the choice of the two countries to meet in Rome, Italy, naturally has naturally caused many people to wonder - why Rome, why Italy?
Rome, Italy | Image credit: Unsplash
It is understood that the reason why China and the United States chose Italy for the meeting is its historical and political heritage, Italy is the first G7 country to sign the "Belt and Road" initiative, and it is also a long-term ally of the United States and a founding member of NATO. The stability of Sino-US relations is related to Italy's security and prosperity, and Italy does not have a very clear bias toward China and the United States.
In addition to the inheritance of politics and international relations, italy's inheritance is actually more multifaceted.
In Italy, whether it is roadside buildings, treasures in museums, literary and artistic creations in art galleries, slang and allusions in culture, or the displays that can be seen everywhere on the streets, the manners and costumes of the people, the national and local festivals celebrated, and even the ordinary food on the table, Italians can find allusions for them and tell a familiar or little-known inheritance story for foreigners. In a sense, it can be said that the italian heritage is everywhere.
Italian Architecture: A Cultural "Notepad" of Inheritance, Fusion, and Innovation
In the vast land of boots deep into the Mediterranean Sea, romanesque, Byzantine, Gothic and Baroque are the shining pearls in the history of human architecture. Walking through the streets and alleys of Italy, you will inadvertently encounter the works of the masters.
The Grand Colosseum in Rome, Italy | Image credit: Unsplash
In the 1st-3rd centuries AD, Romanesque architecture even represented civilization in the Roman cultural circle. The Colosseum in Rome is one of its representatives, and the historical scene that wanders around seems to be right in front of you, the majestic momentum is shocking, and the majestic fantasy color is unmoving; and in the 10th and 12th centuries AD, in the entire European Christian popular area, Romanesque architecture is the most fashionable architectural style, and the Pisa Church Complex built in Tuscanne from 1063 to 1174 is an outstanding representative of this period.
The Cathedral of Milan, the world's largest Gothic church, has the most sculptures and spires in the world, and it has the world's largest glass and flower windows, which can be viewed from top to bottom, which is extremely luxurious. It is from the hands of german, French and Italian architects from many countries, so it brings together the architectural styles of various ethnic groups, and is one of the five cathedrals in the world, ranking second in the world.
Duomo Milan, Italy | Image source: UnSplash
Originally built in 829 AD and rebuilt in 1043-1071, St. Mark's Basilica in venice is also known as the representative of the Italian Byzantine church. It was the largest church in medieval Europe and the starting point of the Fourth Crusade. The church is a fusion of Eastern and Western architectural features, and in the 17th century, Renaissance decoration was added, combining a variety of artistic styles in a harmonious and beautiful way.
The Roman Jesuit Church, built in 1584, and the Roman Church of San Carlo, built in 1634, are representative of Baroque architecture.
In addition to the above famous ancient architectural treasures, in the streets and alleys of Italy, the inheritance and continuation of the innovation of architectural styles are everywhere, and almost every detail that people can't help but study will have an allusion buried in the long river of history, which makes people can't help but linger and immerse themselves in it.
Italian cuisine: an all-encompassing national "business card" that continues to open up the past
Italian cuisine | Image source: BeIT
In addition to the world-renowned Italian architecture, Italian cuisine has also become the favorite of many food lovers around the world after thousands of years of inheritance, from the famous wine, olive oil, espresso, pizza, pasta and ice cream to Parma ham, Parmesan cheese, Bacon, grape vinegar, it can be said that Italy's table culture and cuisine has become a national business card of Italy - delicious, and has a long history.
Wine drinkers who have studied red wine must have heard the warning that the ancient Romans used metal lead to lead poisoning because they did not like the sour taste in red wine; Italian pizza that originated in Naples, many of the pizzerias on the streets in its place of origin have been operating for hundreds of years, and the characteristic Margaret pizza is even more unique; the art ice cream (Gelato) production tradition that originated in Sicily has been handed down from generation to generation, and to this day, Ice cream in Sicily is still considered the best in Italy. People who have tasted its delicious taste are amazed by its delicious taste and exquisite shape.
Pasta | Image source: BeIT
As for the pasta that has blossomed all over the world, there are nearly 100 ways to cook in the local area, and the nutritious and healthy olive oil combines inheritance and modern cuisine perfectly, enriching Italian restaurants and family tables, while also creating popular restaurants in many Italian cities, and leading the world food trend in the new era. And this is precisely the magic weapon of Italian cuisine.
Italian Art and Culture: A Long, Confident "National Impression"
In addition to intuitive architecture and food, the core and deep expression of Italian heritage is reflected in the world-famous art culture and festivals.
Bologna, Italy's "city of porches" | Image source: BeIT
Like China, the splendid and rich cultural heritage is the greatest feature of Italy. From Bologna, the "city of doors", to the historic center of San Gimignano, from the 9,000-year-old Sassi Cave House in Matera to florence, the European art center, Italy's cultural heritage has enjoyed an international reputation since the Middle Ages. In a sense, the soul of Italy lies in its long heritage, which for thousands of years has become a treasure of craftsmanship and expertise in Italy today and in the future, and has converged into an endless source of modern Italy's vigorous development.
In Italy, the inheritance of culture and art can also be directly perceived. Walking through the ancient buildings of Florence, sipping coffee in a century-old coffee shop, the beautiful song of "Madame Butterfly" is heard from the streets. Today's Italy, many ancient buildings are still used as office space or residences, and Italy's rich cultural heritage represented by St. Mark's Square and the Bridge of Sighs is almost irresistible for the world.
The air and water of Italy seem to be well suited to nurture artists. Through the streets of Italy, most of the cities and villages have retained their ancient appearance to this day, and the works of medieval or Renaissance masters can be admired everywhere, and the world can experience and learn the artistic treasures left by their ancestors everywhere.
Unlike elsewhere, Italian cultural and artistic works are permeated with a new creation, that is, the product of a high degree of integration of tradition and modernity, practicality and art. Thus, Italian culture and art is not simply appreciated or preserved, but a changing story, full of life and unexpected.
Italian Festivals: A Warm and Cheerful "City Character"
The festivals of each country can, to some extent, represent the history of the country.
Just like the traditional Chinese festivals Spring Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival and Dragon Boat Festival, behind Italy's national and local festivals, there are also their own unique allusions and origins, just like the Venetian Carnival, Ivrea's "Orange Wars", and verona's opera festival, in the face of the curiosity of foreigners, almost every local can explain one or two for guests who come from afar.
The Italian town of Ivrea hosts the annual "Orange Wars" carnival | Image source: Wikipedia
However, compared to the origin allusions and inheritance time of the festival, Italians actually enjoy the festival itself more, after all, in one-third of the year, Italians are celebrating the festival (Italian holidays include traditional festivals, national anniversaries, religious festivals and city-specific festivals). For most Italians, at certain venues, with champagne, at certain times, raising a glass of celebration seems to be the norm of life.
In addition to New Year's Day, National Day, Halloween and Christmas, carnivals in February are increasingly popular among Italians. Every day, people put on exaggerated and funny costumes, take colored paper scraps, liquid foam, inflatable plastic sticks, etc., and sprinkle them on people they know or don't know, hitting pieces of joy. The carnivals of Venice, Rome, Milan and Florence in Italy all have their own characteristics, among which the Viareggio Carnival on the seafront is the most famous, and a large number of tourists come from all over the world every year to party.
Venetian Carnival | Image credit: Unsplash
And when it comes to the August Festival, which has been passed down for more than 2,000 years, the whole of Italy is like pressing the pause button of work, taking a national vacation, and enjoying the passion and joy brought by summer.
In a sense, each festival in Italy seems to reflect a character of the Italian people and cities, which makes people deeply attracted and fascinated by it at a glance.
For many national cities, inheritance seems like an ancient ritual that is constantly renewed. And the Italian heritage is not simply something to be appreciated or preserved, but a window of fusion between ancient and modern that constantly influences and changes at various levels and perspectives, which not only fascinates Italy itself, but also makes the world constantly want to study it in depth.