As part of "2006 the Year of Italy in China," a further series of events will be held in the second half of the year, an Italian official announced in Beijing Wednesday.

The Ambassador S.E. Gabriele Menegatti said the events including Italian Spring and Focusing Italy would give prominence to the ongoing Year of Italy in China.

The Italian Spring event will include exhibitions such as 5,000 years of Sicilian history, technology in Renaissance, Etruscan civilization and Italian arts. They will provide a window for Chinese people to view and understand the ingenious creative power and culture of the country.

Chinese people will also be given an opportunity to enjoy Italian music, dance, film and food. The event, which is already underway, will run two months.

Focusing Italy is a photographic competition which is open to Chinese only. The idea is that they can show their understanding of Italian things through photographs taken when they visit the country or at events related to the Year of Italy in China. Those competing can even take pictures of Italian cars.

Entries for the photographic competition will be sent by December 6 to a panel of judges with Italian photographers participating in deciding who wins awards.

The competition winners will have the opportunity to see famous Italian cities or visit the headquarters of the famous Italian car maker Ferrari.

The Year of Italy in China opened in January this year and is aimed at enhancing mutual understanding between the two countries and consolidating the present friendly bilateral political, economic and cultural relationship.

(China.org.cn by Unisumoon May 18, 2006)