Document Actions
Kung hay fat choy - May you prosper!
Welcome to Global Italy our monthly look at life in modern multiethnic Italy. There are more than 1.5 million foreigners resident in Italy. This column is dedicated to them.
The New Year celebrations are coming to an end for the 70,000 strong community of Chinese currently resident in Italy. New Year, or the Spring Festival, is the most important festival in the Chinese year. Houses are thoroughly cleaned, new clothes are bought and special dishes are prepared. Red brings good luck so children and unmarried people get presents wrapped in red packages and doors are decorated with red banners proclaiming messages such as Kung hay fat choy.
2001 is the Year of the Snake, and according to the Chinese horoscope, a year of preparation when our network of family and friends is even more important than ever.
We spoke to Marco Dong , the spokesperson for the Chinese community in Rome about the importance of this network.
"20 years ago when the first Chinese came to Italy things were more difficult. The founding members of our community had to do everything for themselves. Now we all try to help the latest arrivals as much as possible. The Chinese community is very close-knit and supportive." One of the community's dreams is the possibility of having bilingual programmes in schools in major cities. "It is important for both our children and their Italian friends. It's something we're working towards."
The Chinese community in Rome has organised a New Year's Party on 8th February at the Teatro Orione, Via Tortona 7.
Go along and celebrate the Year of the Snake.
2001 is the Year of the Snake, and according to the Chinese horoscope, a year of preparation when our network of family and friends is even more important than ever.
We spoke to Marco Dong , the spokesperson for the Chinese community in Rome about the importance of this network.
"20 years ago when the first Chinese came to Italy things were more difficult. The founding members of our community had to do everything for themselves. Now we all try to help the latest arrivals as much as possible. The Chinese community is very close-knit and supportive." One of the community's dreams is the possibility of having bilingual programmes in schools in major cities. "It is important for both our children and their Italian friends. It's something we're working towards."
The Chinese community in Rome has organised a New Year's Party on 8th February at the Teatro Orione, Via Tortona 7.
Go along and celebrate the Year of the Snake.