On the occasion of the Lantern Festival, which traditionally concludes the celebrations for the Chinese New Year, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore expresses solidarity with the Chinese community during the ongoing difficult situation generated by the coronavirus epidemic. Whilst, naturally, sharing the need to take the necessary precautions to protect public health, the University condemns all the forms of Sinophobia and intolerance that have arisen following the news of the outbreak. In particular, the academic community stands firmly alongside its Chinese and Sino-Italian students and their families, plus, of course their Chinese and Italian alumni who work and live in China, convinced of the importance of collaboration between peoples and in the belief, as ever, that knowledge is the best antidote against any form of ignorance and racism. Indeed, the University is strongly committed to promoting knowledge of the Chinese language and culture in Italy as a way to build a less conflictual world.

Monday 10 February 2020, at 17.30, the vice-rector Antonella Sciarrone Alibrandi will confirm this message during the “Parlando di tè” initiative, organised by the Confucius Institute and by Alumni Cattolica on the occasion of the Spring Lantern Festival.