Phoenix-themed dances, recitations of ancient Chinese classics, and dubbed screenings of the animated film Ne Zha were among the offerings recently at a school in Rome. On April 8, dozens of Italian students at a boarding school demonstrated their passion for Chinese language and culture through performances.

The event, Celebrating the Spring, was hosted by the Rome Convitto Nazionale Vittorio Emanuele II international high school, which has science-related courses in Chinese and a long-term study-in-China program. The annual gala is a platform for students to demonstrate their progress in Chinese, and express their talent.

Rosso Sgroi, a fifth-year high school student, played the Monkey King in a short play. His fluent Chinese and lively performance earned him hearty laughter and applause from the audience. He said that he is deeply fond of Wuxia culture (martial hero fiction), as well as classical Chinese literature.

"I have passed HSK 6 (the highest level of the standard Chinese proficiency exam) and applied to several universities in China," he says. "I hope to major in aerospace there because China has made remarkable advancements in the aerospace industry in recent years. Studying this technology in China will be crucial to my future."

The school introduced its Chinese program in 2009. Since 2010, more than 1,500 students have visited China through summer camps. In 2014, the school established a long-term study program in China. Over the years, the school has taught many students, who not only possess strong language skills, but also have well-developed cross-cultural communication abilities and a global perspective.