The 2024 summer camp (Beijing) of Convitto Nazionale “Vittorio Emanuele II” di Roma opened at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) on May 30. 

The event, sponsored by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), was hosted by BFSU and undertaken by the Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press.

Jia Dezhong, a member of the standing committee of the CPC BFSU committee and vice-president of the university, speaks at the opening ceremony. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Convitto Nazionale “Vittorio Emanuele II” di Roma is a flagship institution involved in Italy's Chinese language education programs, said Jia Dezhong, a member of the standing committee of the CPC BFSU committee and vice-president of the university. 

This annual summer camp in China provides young people with an opportunity to practice their Chinese language skills, learn about Chinese culture and gain insight into China's modernization, Jia noted. 

He also expressed BFSU's commitment to offering high-quality experiences to participants, aiming to deepen the friendship between Chinese and Italian people. 

Hui Hui, deputy director of the European Affairs Office at the CLEC, speaks at the opening ceremony. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Hui Hui, deputy director of the European Affairs Office at the CLEC, emphasized the long-standing friendship between China and Italy, tracing back to Marco Polo's travels to China over 700 years ago. 

She encouraged the participants to make the most of this learning opportunity by exploring and experiencing a real, multifaceted and comprehensive China. 

Febronia Cappadona, vice-rector of Convitto Nazionale “Vittorio Emanuele II” di Roma, speaks at the opening ceremony. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Febronia Cappadona, vice-rector of Convitto Nazionale “Vittorio Emanuele II” di Roma, expressed her excitement about visiting China again and thanked the CLEC and BFSU for supporting Sino-Italian cultural exchanges. 

Cappadona said she hopes the summer camp will help more Italian youth learn Chinese and better understand Chinese culture. 

Angelica Attanasio (L) and Mirolla Michelangelo (R), representatives of the summer camp participants, deliver speeches in Chinese, expressing their enthusiasm for the summer camp. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Officials present flags to representatives of the summer camp. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Convitto Nazionale “Vittorio Emanuele II” di Roma was the first high school in Italy to incorporate Chinese as a mandatory course. The Confucius Classroom at the school was inaugurated in May 2010. Since its establishment, the classroom, with the support of BFSU and the Confucius Institute at the Sapienza University of Rome, has organized 12 summer camps in China, with more than 1,500 participants. 

This summer camp project has become a hallmark of the school, integrating Chinese language practice into its teaching and receiving enthusiastic support from students, teachers and parents. 

Participants at the opening ceremony pose for a group photo. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]