Ningbo's Tianyi Pavilion, Michelangelo's home conduct dialogue

In celebration of Italian Renaissance art giant Michelangelo Buonarroti's 550th birthday and 55 years of China-Italy diplomatic relations, a remarkable cultural dialogue unfolded between Ningbo's Tianyi Pavilion Museum and Florence's Casa Buonarroti — the great master's ancestral home — on June 30.

The event featured Professor Cristina Acidini, director of Casa Buonarroti and Zheng Weiwei, deputy secretary of Tianyi Pavilion, in a virtual exchange exploring the enduring artistic spirit of Michelangelo.

Tianyi Pavilion, China's oldest private library, has preserved over 300,000 volumes across 450 years, serving as a testament to Eastern literary heritage. Meanwhile, Casa Buonarroti safeguards Michelangelo's drawings, letters and sculptures, ensuring his legacy lives on.

Professor Acidini highlighted Michelangelo's youthful genius through works like Madonna of the Stairs and Battle of the Centaurs, noting his innovation in magnificent marble sculptures echoed China's very own stone-carving tradition.

She compared Michelangelo's carvings with the ancient Shiguwen (Stone Drum Inscriptions) rubbings housed at Tianyi Pavilion — both serving as a dialogue between civilizations, East and West, each etched in stone with the voice of the chisel.

A powerful symbol of this connection stands in Ningbo: A replica of Michelangelo's David, gifted by Florence in 2006.

Looking ahead, Tianyi Pavilion plans to expand its global partnerships and innovate cultural exchange formats, continuing to share China's heritage with the world.

The dialogue reinforced a shared truth — true artistic spirit transcends borders, languages and centuries.