[Photo/Xinhua]

The "Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Night" gala was held on Monday in Rome. Over a hundred guests from Italian political, cultural, and business circles attended the event, including Riccardo Sessa, who served as Italian ambassador to China during the Beijing Olympics, and Patrizia Prestipino, representative of the Sports Commission of the Italian Chamber of Deputies.

Sessa said in his speech in 2008 he personally witnessed the grand occasion of China hosting the Olympic Games and was touched by the Chinese people's concerted efforts. Athletes from all over the world have also achieved great success in Beijing, he added, saying the Olympic spirit is international friendship, brotherhood and sisterhood, but it is also competition and breakthrough. This ancient Olympic spirit, he said, will be passed on in Beijing.

Riccardo Sessa, former Italian ambassador to China, attends the “Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Night” gala on October 25, 2021 in Rome, Italy. [Photo provided to Chinaculture.org]

"Today we are gathered here to support the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. I firmly believe that its opening ceremony and the entire Games will be as beautiful and successful as the 2008 Summer Olympics," Sessa said.

A guzheng instrumental performance, tea art ceremony and other events staged at the gala were warmly welcomed by the Italian guests. The Beijing 2022 venues and Beijing scenery were demonstrated through videos.

The gala was jointly organized by the Italian Cina in Italia magazine and the China Tourist Office in Rome.

Patrizia Prestipino, representative of the Sports Commission of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, attends the “Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Night” gala on October 25, 2021 in Rome, Italy.[Photo provided to Chinaculture.org]

A tea art ceremony is staged at the gala.[Photo provided to Chinaculture.org]

Guests watch a promotional video for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the gala.[Photo provided to Chinaculture.org]

A guzheng instrumental performance is staged at the gala.[Photo provided to Chinaculture.org]