A growing number of citizens are joining the activities of the Milan Confucius Institute, director of the institute, Alessandra Lavagnino, told Xinhua in a recent exclusive interview.

"In Italy there are 10 Confucius Institutes, but the one in Milan is the most strategically important because the northern Italian city is an international capital of industry, fashion and design," Lavagnino said, adding that Milan Confucius Institute has developed rapidly since it was established last autumn.

"We not only give language courses, but also organize cultural seminars, workshops and sport competitions like the 'Confucius cup', an exclusive soccer tournament disputed by Chinese students and workers in Milan."

Lavagnino, who is also a well-known sinologist in Italy, stressed that the Confucius Institute is working close with Milan institutions and best universities to boost ties with China.

"On the occasion of Shanghai Expo, we are organizing a journey to China for a high-level delegation of the Scholastic Office of Lombardy Region."

"Many businessmen who work with Chinese partners realized that cooperation will becomes more successful if they get closer to Chinese culture," she highlighted.

"Milan is a very frenetic city. People are busy all day, but I see that they are thirsty for Chinese culture. They want to know what China really is, beyond stereotypes. We even have many retired people coming to study Chinese language."

"Another important thing we do is to serve as a bridge between the Chinese community in Milan and other citizens. Many Chinese students are playing a leading role in our initiatives," she said adding that the Chinese community is also looking forward to the Milan Expo 2015 as an opportunity to develop bilateral relations.

Confucius Institutes recently launched a competition named " Tell China" for young Italian sinologists. "They'll have to write a paper in Chinese giving their opinion on what's the best way to explain Chinese culture to Italians," Lavagnino explained reminding that the year of Chinese culture in Italy will kick off in September.

"We are working on lots of projects, which will be a success thanks to Milan citizens' growing interest in Chinese culture," she said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 9, 2010)