Along the Silk Road: Tea Ceremony in Chinese Tradition

On January 27, 2025, the event “Along the Silk Road: Tea Ceremony in Chinese Tradition” was held in the beautiful location of Sala Bassetti at the Brera Palace.
The meeting marked the start of the special program of activities organized by the Istituto Italo Cinese in Milan on the occasion of Chinese New Year 2025 (Here is the article with all the information and the complete schedule of events).

The program schedule is a tribute to Chinese traditions and an opportunity for the citizens of the city of Milan to learn about and explore some of the most fascinating aspects of this millenary culture.

These certainly include the rituals and benefits associated with Tea, a very popular beverage in China with infinite capabilities and variations.
In addition to the many beneficial properties, the numerous varieties of colors and aromas, determined by the processing of the leaves, Tea has a very strong symbolic and social value in Chinese culture.

Protagonist of gatherings, celebrations and convivial moments, Tea and its preparation and tasting rituals are part of the social practices related to the celebration of the traditional Chinese New Year, which as of this year have officially become part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.

After a welcome from Chiara Rostagno, Deputy Director of the Pinacoteca di Brera, that hosted and supported us, the meeting was opened by institutional greetings from the President of the Istituto Italo Cinese Maria Rosa Azzolina, the Consul of the People’s Republic of China in Milan Wen Xinna, Lombardy Region Councillor Paola Bocci, and the President of the Association of Chinese Women in Milan Hu Yueyan.

Afterwards, the speech by Alessandro Coscia of the Pinacoteca di Brera recalled the importance of social and cultural rituals in fostering understanding and closeness among all peoples and stressed the need for these meetings to strengthen the knowledge and dialogue between Italy and China to introduce the subsequent speeches with tea specialists invited by the Istituto Italo Cinese for the occasion:

The Colors and Aromas of Tea – Marco Bertona, professional tea taster graduated in China from Guangzhou University of Agricultural Sciences (Guangzhou), President of the Italy Tea & Infusions Association, member of the FAO Intergovernmental Group on Tea
“The Longjing – 龙井茶” the green tea of Zhejiang: the best Green Tea in China – Suping Huang, Secretary General of the Association of Chinese Women in Milan
Pu’Er Tea and its therapeutic implications – Prof. Alessandro Beghini, PhD Professor of Molecular Biology Department of Health Sciences University of Milan and Co-Founder of Pu’Er Tea Society

A short performance of typical dances in traditional Hanfu dress, given by the Huaxing Arts Group in Milan, preceded the concluding moment of the meeting: guests witnessed a real Tea Ceremony according to ancient Chinese tradition with Master Mo Nan Xi and had the opportunity to taste the therapeutic Pu’Er Tea, offered by Pu’Er Tea Society and other fine teas prepared by Italy Tea & Infusions Association.

Accompanying the drink were traditional Chinese sweets freshly prepared by Alessia Hu Heping: true works of art for the eye and the palate, perfect to accompany the Tea variants thanks to their delicate and refined flavors.