On the afternoon of January 30th, the launching ceremony for the Italian premiere of the Chinese TV drama To the Wonder (Italian title: Alla Meraviglia), organized by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC), the Consulate General of China in Milan, and the Italy-China Association, and co-hosted by the China Television Artists Association (CTAA) and Italy’s ONE TV, was held at Teatro del Borgo in Milan.
The event marked the opening of the “Chinese Audiovisual Feast,” a special promotion of outstanding Chinese television and online audiovisual works in Italy.
Cultural Audiovisual Feast
Over a hundred distinguished guests attended the event, including Li Yi, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Vice President of CFLAC; Liu Kan, Chinese Consul General in Milan; Yan Shaofei, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Executive Vice President of CTAA; Yu Hailin, Director of the International Department at CFLAC; Gong Yu, Vice President of CTAA and CEO of iQiyi; Zhou Jie, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Netcasting Services Association; Li Dongshen, renowned producer and Chief Director of the documentary series China; Stefano Di Martino, former Deputy Speaker of Milan City Council; Matteo Pavesi, Director of the Italian Film Archive and former curator of Italy’s National Cinema Museum; Franco Landoni, Director of Italy’s ONE TV; Stefano Prior, Chairman of the Italy-China Dialogue Association; and famous Italian actor Kaspar Capparoni.
Cultural Dual Hubs of the Belt and Road Initiative
In his speech, Yan Shaofei emphasized that China and Italy, as dual cultural hubs under the Belt and Road Initiative, have made significant progress in audiovisual cooperation in recent years. With each country having distinct and enriching cultural characteristics, he expressed hope that the premiere of To the Wonder, alongside 20 other Chinese audiovisual works, would allow Italian audiences to better understand fascinating stories and vibrant emotions from China. Yan also expressed optimism about future collaborations between China and Italy in areas such as TV series production, joint ventures, and audiovisual brand interactions, aiming to deliver high-quality works with intellectual depth and visual impact.
Franco Landoni, director of Italy’s ONE TV, expressed his excitement about broadcasting the Italian-language version of Alla Meraviglia on his station. He stated that the introduction of this remarkable production opens a new window for Italian audiences to appreciate Chinese culture. Landoni expressed a commitment to continuously bringing more captivating Chinese stories and vivid imagery to Italian viewers, presenting a unique audiovisual experience that showcases the depth and breadth of Chinese civilization, allowing audiences to deeply engage with China’s moving narratives and marvels.
To the Wonder Emerges as a Cultural Icon
Filmed in Altay, Xinjiang, the series prominently features the region’s picturesque landscapes, becoming a distinctive hallmark of the show. As China’s first ecological and cultural TV drama shot entirely in 8K HDR, To the Wonder debuted its 4K restored-version trailer internationally for the first time. Adapted from a collection of essays by Li Juan and directed by Teng Congcong, starring Ma Yili and Zhou Yiran, the drama depicts the growth journey of Li Wenxiu, a Han Chinese girl living in the Altay region, illustrating the interactions and fusion between nomadic culture and modern civilization. Praised by the People’s Daily as “a poetic tribute to the grasslands,” the Italian edition Alla Meraviglia aired nationwide in Italy from February 3rd to 10th on ONE TV Italia.
Civilization Dialogue Becomes Reality
In the presence of the audience, Li Yi and Stefano Di Martino officially inaugurated the Italian premiere of To the Wonder, joined by Consul General Liu Kan and Director Matteo Pavesi. Following the release of the broadcasting certificate and an introductory speech by producer Gong Yu, the series’ trailer premiered before an Italian audience. The striking imagery and authentic storytelling deeply resonated with viewers, provoking powerful emotional engagement.
Italian actor Kaspar Capparoni shared his viewing impressions at the event, stating: “To the Wonder portrays frontier landscapes that form a complete puzzle piece toward understanding contemporary China. Themes of family bonds and the coexistence of nature with civilization truly illustrate the power of audiovisual arts to transcend cultural barriers.”
Spanning the Apennine Peninsula and the Eurasian continent, this cinematic dialogue forged a new bridge of mutual cultural appreciation through the vast poetic charm of To the Wonder, bringing Chinese stories onto an even broader international stage. As Yu Hailin, Director of the International Department at CFLAC, remarked: “The dialogue between Chinese and Italian civilizations continues to write a new Silk Road legend through the language of film and television.”
Photographer at the event: Fan Zhiheng（The photos of the event used in this article have been authorized by the photographer)