An Italian expert shares his understanding of Western romance culture Aug 25. [Photo provided to ehangzhou.gov.cn]

Experts from China and Italy shared insights into Eastern and Western romance culture in Hangzhou Aug 25, local media reported.

The activity was inspired by Hangzhou and Verona, Italy, signing a friendship agreement in March 2019 to deepen mutual understanding and boost cultural exchanges.

Hangzhou and Verona are nicknamed the oriental and Western cities of romance for their time-honored love stories. Hangzhou is renowned for Bai Suzhen, a centuries-old snake who was trained to take on human form, and Xu Xian, a pharmacist who accidentally rescued her. Verona is the setting for the love story between Romeo and Juliet.

A couple shares their love stories. [Photo provided to ehangzhou.gov.cn]

Chinese experts, such as Wei Lu, dean at the College of Media and International Culture of Zhejiang University, proposed that Chinese love stories be integrated with Western cultural elements and take on more performance forms.

The Italian experts regarded their literature as being conceived by the language of love and shared some time-honored but little-known love stories with their Chinese counterparts.

Couples with partners from each country shared anecdotes about cultural differences and their reflections on how Eastern and Western cultures have inspired them to complement each other in family life.

The activity was part of the 2020 Cultural Week of Romance organized by Hangzhou government and the Zhejiang department of culture and tourism.

The day also happened to be Qixi, the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, which is widely regarded as China's Valentine's Day.

Experts from China and Italy share insights into Eastern and Western romance culture in Hangzhou Aug 25. [Photo provided to ehangzhou.gov.cn]