Dario Famularo of Italy is a doctoral student in the Department of Philosophy at Fudan University specializing in religious studies.

In 2023, Famularo attended the International Chinese Language Day event and delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. He reflected on how a collaborative exchange program between Chinese and Italian universities years ago allowed him to understand China, which was completely different from what he had imagined.

After completing his studies in Italy, he came to China and worked at the Hubei University of Technology, followed by studying in Chongqing and Shanghai. Over the past decade, Famularo has visited more than 100 cities in China and witnessed the enormous transformation of the country in both material and spiritual dimensions.

Famularo gives a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2023 International Chinese Language Day. [Photo/WeChat account: fudaniso]

During his studies at Chongqing University, Famularo represented the university at the international academic seminar of the Inter-academic Research Centre on the History of Language Teaching (CIRSIL) in Italy. This was the first time that international graduate students from Chinese universities participated in the conference and discussed the history of Chinese language teaching.

Famularo talks about his experiences of studying and living in China. [Photo/WeChat account: fudaniso]

In 2019, Famularo came to Fudan University and embarked on his journey of exploring Sinology in Europe. "In the 19th century, Chinese language courses and professors imparting knowledge on Chinese language and culture began to emerge in the universities and colleges in Europe, and the entire field of Sinology underwent a process of secularization and academicization. What I am studying is how this entire process was realized and whether it was influenced by comparative linguistics, comparative history, and comparative religious studies."

Envisioning the future, Famularo expressed, "I plan to become a postdoctoral researcher at the Beijing Language and Culture University after completing my doctoral degree. My greatest dream is to become an outstanding Italian sinologist and contribute to cultural exchange between China and Italy."

Source: "fudaniso" WeChat account