Wei Jie claudiamente@hotmail.com THE north wing of Baoneng All City mall in Shekou was transformed Saturday afternoon as the Chinese/Italian Artists Exchange Program kicked off with a celebration of food, fashion, illustration, sports, and science fiction. Hosted by the Nanshan District Foreign Affairs Bureau and the Shekou Subdistrict Office, the sci-fi and fantasy-themed exchange program aimed to create an immersive cultural experience and bring Chinese and Italian creativity into lively conversation. The program opened with a fashion show by Shenzhen-based label HUI, its models gliding down the runway in garments that blended Chinese and Italian design elements. Sci-fi and illustration were also a major focus. Francesco Verso, a leading figure in contemporary Italian sci-fi and a three-time recipient of Italy’s top sci-fi prize, the Urania Award, discussed his eight years of friendship with China’s sci-fi community. “I have always believed that science fiction is the perfect language for cross-cultural exchange,” Verso said. “It lets us transcend borders and languages to share hopes and concerns about technology and humanity’s future.” A live illustration session paired Italian artist Lorenzo Ala with Zhao Enzhe, the first Asian recipient of the Hugo Awards’ Best Professional Artist. Ala produced a finely detailed drawing of a robot wearing hanfu, marrying Eastern clothing aesthetics with futuristic motifs. Zhao completed two spaceship sketches in just 10 minutes, his fluid lines and precise technique drawing rounds of applause from the crowd. In the mall’s north wing, the Italian Lifestyle Experience Zone featured booths serving a tempting antipasto platter — Parmesan’s creamy depth, the robust flavor of salami, and the distinctive tang of blue cheese — balanced by crisp soda crackers and colorful pepper strips. Hand-crafted gelato, silky and richly textured, offered visitors a literal taste of the Apennine Peninsula’s culinary traditions. The Italian-style football zone in the sunken plaza also drew steady crowds. Italian coaches taught passing, shooting, and ball-control techniques, offering demonstrations and hands-on drills. “We rarely get a chance to experience professional Italian coaching,” said a local father surnamed Li, who attended with his child. “Today was wonderful. My kid had a great time.” Participants of different ages and nationalities spent the afternoon sampling Italian flavors, watching runway art, enjoying live illustration, and learning football skills, creating a portrait of the ongoing cultural dialogue between China and Italy. Organizers said the series, which will continue through early December, aims to deepen creative ties and build long-term international exchanges in the region. | 