STORY: Italian ballet dancer's impression of Chinese culture
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: Aug. 11, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:23
LOCATION: CHONGQING, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the rehearsal
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Italian): LUCIANO CARRATONI, Head of Balletto di Roma
3. various of the rehearsal
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Italian): PAOLO BARBONAGLIA, Dancer of Balletto di Roma
5. various of the rehearsal
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Italian): AZZURRA VITA SCHENA, Dancer of Balletto di Roma
7. various of the rehearsal

STORYLINE:

The renowned Balletto di Roma, or Ballet of Rome, is touring China with its production of "Romeo and Juliet."

Audiences in cities including Shanghai, Chongqing and Haikou are getting the chance to enjoy this classic performance.

This is Balleto di Roma's third visit to China. Performers told Xinhua of their love for the Chinese culture and audiences, and of their hopes to further deepen cultural exchanges between Italy and China.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Italian): LUCIANO CARRATONI, Head of Balletto di Roma
"We are delighted to return to China for the third time, with our previous visits in 2011 and September 2023 with this classic performance. We are thrilled to come back, as this year marks a special significance for exchanges between our two countries, commemorating the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's passing."

The performance's stage design recreates the Romeo and Juliet 1989 premiere at the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa, Italy.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Italian): PAOLO BARBONAGLIA, Dancer of Balletto di Roma
"There are many aspects of Chinese art and history that deeply fascinate me. Every time I see the temples and natural landscapes, I'm deeply amazed and moved. So this return fills me with excitement and joy.
The Chinese audiences are incredibly lovely and warm, sending messages to me and expressing their appreciation, which is very heartening.
Last year, we visited the Marco Polo Memorial Hall in China's Yangzhou, where we learned about his experiences and the traces he left here. It's amazing that such exchanges took place centuries ago and we are still able to continue them today.
It would be wonderful if we could further expand these exchanges, making them more regular and sustainable."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Italian): AZZURRA VITA SCHENA, Dancer of Balletto di Roma
"The cultural exchange between our two countries is truly wonderful. Last year, I was deeply moved by the story of Marco Polo and your cultural inclusivity. China's profound respect for Marco Polo's journey fills us with great pride. Cultural exchanges are always delightful, and we hope there will be more opportunities like this in the future."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Chongqing, China.
(XHTV)