I am the Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Beijing, Federico Roberto Antonelli.

On March 20, 1977, it was my first time to Chaoyang District. I was two and a half years old. I grew up in Chaoyang District. At that time, I lived around Jianguomen, Dongdaqiao, as far as Sanlitun. The areas to the north and east of Sanlitun have not yet been planned and constructed.

I left Beijing in 1985. From 2011 to 2019, I worked as the Legal Attaché of the Embassy of Italy in China for 8 years. At the end of August 2022, I came back as the Director of the Italian Cultural Institute, Cultural Counsellor of the Embassy of Italy.

Things in Chaoyang has changed dramatically.

When I was a child in Beijing, there was only farmland without the imprint of modernization. There was no Italian restaurant at that time, but it gradually developed over time.

Now there are many international spots here, Lufthansa center was the first to be planned and constructed. Today, since Liangma River has completed restoration, more and more great restaurants and hotels are located here.

That is Four Seasons Hotel, where you can find one of the most famous Italian Michelin-starred restaurant called MIO.

To the west of Four Seasons Hotel, which I think sits one of the most beautiful buildings in Beijing. It was also designed by Italians, the Bulgari Hotel.

Here is Liangma River, and the name of this Italian restaurant is FIUME. FIUME means “river” in Italian. So the name of this restaurant means "river".

Italian food, such as Macaroni with minced meat comes from Bologna. Now we can see this food in Italian restaurants in Beijing, their approach is also very traditional and original. Such things have also represented the cultural exchange between China and Italy.

We can have different Italian food every day.

As far as I can see, on the right, there is a well-known Michelin-starred Italian restaurant, it serves dishes from northern Italy. In the Bulgari Hotel in front is an Italian restaurant, it was founded in Rome. In this restaurant we can enjoy dishes from central Italy.

This place is becoming international, and the development is getting better and better. We can have more dishes of various flavors in Italy.

We are communicating with relevant departments, hoping to hold some Italian exhibitions, performances, and concerts in public places. In this way, audience in Chaoyang will enjoy Italian culture comprehensively. We are trying to build a cultural bridge between China and Italy.

Planner: Li Tianxiao

Director: Zhang Wen

Cameraman: Sheng Ming

Video Packaging: Fan Yiping

Special Support: Italian Cultural Institute, Embassy of the Republic of Italy in China

Foreign Affairs Office of Chaoyang District People’s Government of Beijing Municipality