On the evening of Dec 27, a show featuring a fleet of 1,500 drones lit up the sky above the West Lake Music Fountain.

Titled "Born of Love, Love at West Lake", the Hangzhou-Verona-themed performance marked the largest drone display ever held over West Lake. The drone's hovering blue lights outlined icons of Verona, Italy, like its Roman amphitheater as well as Romeo and Juliet. The drones also portrayed elements from the Chinese legend The Butterfly Lovers.

2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy, as well as the fifth anniversary of friendship-city ties between Hangzhou and Verona. The drone show was a part of the Hangzhou-Verona New Year Cultural Event celebrating the milestone occasion.

The cultural ties between Hangzhou and Verona run deep. In the 13th century, the Italian explorer Marco Polo visited Hangzhou. Today, the two sister cities are united by a shared cultural heritage and similar atmospheric charm. The timeless love story of Romeo and Juliet was set in Verona, while the famous Chinese romance of The Butterfly Lovers originated in Hangzhou.

Michele Simeoni, one of the founding partners of the iconic Acqua Giulietta brand, has brought this romantic brand to Hangzhou together with his son. He expressed his affinity for the beautiful love story of The Butterfly Lovers, drawing a parallel to the poignant narrative of Romeo and Juliet. Simeoni remarked, "Hangzhou and Verona are both remarkable cities, share legendary butterfly stories that resonate deeply. We have a special fondness for Hangzhou and have felt the warmth of its people." As Hangzhou and Verona have forged a sister-city bond, Simeoni anticipates a future where the friendship between these two cities flourishes and endures.

On Dec 27, a live performance featuring classic music pieces The Butterfly Lovers, Romeo and Juliet, O Sole Mio, and I Love you, China by Italian vocalists along with teachers and students from Zhejiang Conservatory of Music captivated visitors by West Lake. The next day, Maria Chiara Forte and Stefano Stella from Italy performed the romantic love song Delizziotto with their stirring operatic voices, and Forte then graced the audience with a solo of Scherza di fronda in fronda di vivardi. The spellbinding melodies drew the crowd to a standstill, with onlookers whipping out their phones to capture the moment. As the final notes faded, a torrent of enthusiastic applause erupted.

A particularly touching moment came with a performance of the Yueju Opera Liang Zhu: The Eighteen Farewells. The sweet, melodious vocals of young actors Dong Shuangfei and Wang Jingyi from the Huanglong Yueju (Hangzhou) Opera Troupe brought to life the timeless beauty of the Chinese love story. Their moving performance had previously crossed oceans in 2019, when a promotional video for the China-Italy Friendship Encounter shared this Eastern romance with the people of Italy.

The "Hangzhou-Verona New Year Cultural Market" recently opened at the West-Lake-side Hubin Park, bringing together dozens of unique stalls that offer visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the cultural essence and charm of both China and Italy.

The market is filled with brilliant Italian craftsmanship. Among the artists present was Mattia Barone, an Italian sculptor from Milan, who brought intricate marble sculptures to the market where he carved the word for "love" in Chinese, English, and Italian. "I created this as a charm for everyone," said Barone. "It's a symbol of love and good luck for all who see it."

"Wow! This woodcarving is so cool! Does this shape have any special meaning?" said a child gazing in awe of the different shapes of the woodcarvings. Woodcarving artist Stefano Puzzuoli stooped down with patience to explain, "This is a special piece. Its raw material came from a tree in my garden that died due to old age five years ago. I couldn't bear to burn it, so I cut it into slices and crafted it into this shape. Actually, it doesn't have a real meaning. They are more natural, organic forms that can interact with the space where you place them." His face wore a proud expression of giving new life to something old.

The market also features a series of creative installations that beautifully blended the romantic cultural elements of both West Lake and Verona. The "New Year Wish Wall", cultural fusion photo spots, and the "Love on West Lake" light installation were just some of the eye-catching pieces for photos.

Visitors can hang "love locks" as symbols of commitment and eternal love on the Wish Wall, a tradition rooted in Verona's iconic Romeo and Juliet story. Traditional prayer ribbons provide an opportunity for guests to write their wishes for the New Year, creating a bridge between the two cultures.

The market will continue through early January, offering a variety of pop-up performances by artists from both countries. This will give visitors a chance to experience a harmonious blend of culture and art, while exploring the shared themes of love that resonate deeply in both Chinese and Italian traditions.

One of the featured performers, Stefano Stella, made his debut for Hangzhou and for China. "When I first arrived, everything felt a bit unfamiliar, but performing by West Lake, I felt a unique sense of connection," Stella shared. "This city blends tradition and modernity so well—it's like having one foot in the past and the other in the future." He also added, "Hangzhou deserves more exposure in Italy; more people should know about this beautiful city."

Editor: Cheng Dengyu