Country for PR: China
Contributor: Xinhua News Agency
Thursday, March 30 2023 - 13:23
AsiaNet
In Dongying, a Bridge of Communication between China and Italy Erected by the Italian Federico
DONGYING, China, March 30, 2023 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/--

In 2014, Federico from Italy and his overseas Chinese wife Dong Yan (called 
Lady Fescher Yan by everyone) lost their daughter Te-te in an accident. In 
order to fulfill their daughter's last wish of opening a Western restaurant in 
Dongying, in September 2019, they came to Dongying from the remote Italy and 
opened an Italian restaurant named after their daughter. In 2021, the couple 
were in their 60s and transferred their restaurant to a parent of an overseas 
student in China that agreed with their brand concept. They taught the 
production methods of products patiently so as to well preserve their signature 
Italian delicacies.

After the restaurant was transferred, the couple devote more energy to 
volunteer activities. They not only provide the society with Italian cooking 
skills for free, but also lend a helping hand to those who are interested in 
Italian language and culture, and pay regular visits to the disabled people 
service center to see the underprivileged children. They bring authentic 
Italian delicacies to schools, communities and kindergartens, designed menus 
for the children and teach the kids to have a hands-on experience of the 
foreign delicacies and culture.

Sometimes, Dongying Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese invites the couple 
to visit famous scenic areas and cultural venues in Dongying to experience the 
Yellow River Culture. Despite the language barrier, Federico loves the Chinese 
humanity and culture. Every time when he goes back to Italy, he would take the 
promo albums and CD of Dongying as gifts for his friends in Italy, sharing the 
local customs and culture of Dongying with them and becoming a "friendly 
messenger" and a "promotion ambassador" for Dongying culture to be introduced 
abroad.

In August 2022, when Federico was 60 years old, he managed to receive a "senior 
citizen ID" with the help of the City's Federation of Returned Overseas 
Chinese. This is the first time a "senior citizen ID" was issued to a foreign 
friend in Dongying.

Nowadays, the couple are just like a "bridge" for the cultural communication 
and exchange of feelings between the Chinese and Italian people to promote the 
mutual understanding between the two countries.

It is tens of thousands of miles apart between Italy and Dongying, remote and 
strange to each other. However, like the wandering people that can always find 
the direction to homes, in the mysterious land where the Yellow River flows 
into the sea, Dongying is embracing the travelers from Italy with her warm and 
broad chest. They came here across the ocean for love and stays here for love, 
as the Yellow River flows into the sea.

Source: Dongying Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese

Image Attachments Links:

   Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=439394

   Caption: The couple of Federico participate in Dongying's First Youth Coffee 
and Reading Festival.

   Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=439396

   Caption: Dongying Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese establishes a 
Qiaoxing Volunteer Service Base at the Italian restaurant.

Translations

Italian