Recently, Ms. Anna Maria Piva from Italy was invited to ICARE to deliver a lecture titled Italian food as UNESCO Intangible Culture Heritage- More Than Food, a Way of Life. Taking food as a bridge, she engaged in in-depth cross-cultural exchanges with faculty and students. Amid the interaction of flavors and philosophies, a vivid picture of the integration of Chinese and Italian cultures unfolded.

At the lecture, Ms. Piva drew on her rich cross-cultural experience and interpreted the essence of Italian food culture from a delicate perspective. From the gentle rituals of morning breakfast to the mellow rhythm of coffee in daily social interactions; from the courteous etiquette at the dining table to the time-honored curing techniques of PDO ham, and further to the elaborate craftsmanship embodied in the whole production process of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, she elaborated on the profound connection between food, life, and society.

Her sharing made it clear that food is far more than just comfort for the taste buds. It is a carrier of cultural heritage and a bond for social cohesion. Within every vegetable and every meal lies the life philosophy and spiritual essence of a nation.

On the day after the exchange, an elegant tea gathering took place at ICARE. Ms. Piva immersed herself in the lingering fragrance of tea and personally experienced the elegance and charm of the Chinese tea ceremony. As the tea cups rose and fell, they reflected the tranquility and depth of Oriental tea culture; as her fingers touched the tea sets, it symbolized an in-depth dialogue between the two food cultures of China and Italy. Different flavors share the same warmth, and this experience further deepened cross-cultural understanding amid the fragrance of tea, making the context of cultural exchange clearer in its subtle details.

Ms. Piva’s visit opened a window for faculty and students to experience the profound heritage of Italian culture, allowing everyone to broaden the boundaries of cross-cultural understanding through the differences and resonances found in food culture. In the future, ICARE will continue to build a high-level platform for cultural exchange, enrich the international vision of teachers and students through diverse activities, and lay a deeper humanistic foundation for the cultivation of international talents through continuous cultural mutual learning, so that the fruits of cultural exchange will flourish on campus.