At 5pm of September 4, 2022 local time, the Shaolin Cultural Centre and the Villa Cagnola jointly held Shaolin cultural exchange activities. 

Villa Cagnola Museum is located in Varese near Milan, Italy. It has a long history and rich culture as well as the beautiful scenery, opposite to the Varese Lake. Ms Irene Di Paola, director of the museum, particularly loves traditional Chinese culture. She invited Shi Yanhui, head of the Shaolin Cultural Centre of Italy, to the museum for cultural exchange activities. It was hoped that similar events could make more citizens have opportunity to learn Shaolin culture and benefit from it.

Ms Irene Di Paola explained the museum’ s history and culture as well as the development of Shaolin culture in Italy at the beginning of the event.

Then Shi Yanhui gave a special speech on Shaolin culture around one hour. Audience who first contacted Shaolin culture became enamored from originally curious as Shi Yanhui’ s speeches got deeper. 

During the time, Shi Yanhui also arranged some students from different cities performed Shaolin Kungfu, which won cheers from audience on the scene.

By the end of the event, Ms Irene expressed more similar activities were hoped to be often hosted. She also wished Shaolin culture could be promoted and developed better in Italy in the future.

Ricardo Montorsi, one of Shi Yanhui’ s student, led his students present in a concert of 5.000 people and showing Shaolin Kungfu, which won appraise from audience on the scene on September 3.

Ricardo Montorsi lives in Mondena, Italy. He has studied Shaolin Kungfu over many years. Later he also established his own martial arts school as a coach with help of Shi Yanhui. The scale unceasingly expands and the number of students continuously increases today.

Ricardo Montorsi expressed he sincerely thanked Shaolin culture created a job for him. The combination of careers and interests is a happy thing. He also said that he hoped to visit Shaoin Temple for pilgrimage together with his master Shi Yanhui, feeling extensive and profound Shaolin culture. (Edited by Zou Xiang and pictures from the Shaolin Cultural Centre of Italy)