To celebrate Chinese New Year 2025, the Istituto Italo Cinese developed a special program of events and activities that took place in Milan starting January 27.

The rich schedule of initiatives, carried out in collaboration with Italian and Chinese cultural and institutional bodies and under the Patronage of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Milan, the Metropolitan City of Milan, the Municipality of Milan and the National Bureau of Chinese Tourism, celebrated the beginning of the Year of the Snake: a symbol of transformation, insight and rebirth in the Chinese zodiac tradition.

The Spring Festival this year comes amid a particularly significant period of celebrations for cooperation and friendship between the Italian and Chinese peoples: the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo’s death, which spans from 2024 to 2026 and which was also celebrated at the Chamber of Deputies in Rome last October 23, 2024, and the 20th anniversary of the Global Strategic Partnership between Italy and China, a milestone in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries (here is the article of the book presentation event published by the PRC Consulate in Milan for the occasion)

In addition, last December 4, the “Spring Festival – Social Practices of the Chinese in the Celebration of Traditional New Year” was officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity after passing the evaluation of the 19th Ordinary Session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

This is indeed a special year, which the Istituto Italo Cinese wanted to celebrate with a very special program and with the wish that the Snake will bring prosperity, wisdom and always new opportunities for collaboration between Italy and China, under the auspices of exchange and the social and cultural growth of peoples.