On May 30, 2025, as dragon-boat festival drumbeats crossed seas and mountains, Echo Culture Lab opened its doors at Via Tolmino 30 in Milan.
Just before the Dragon Boat Festival, young artists, heritage inheritors, designers and culture enthusiasts from China and Italy gathered here to launch a dialogue across cultures and time.
A Cultural Laboratory
The opening was rich and varied, kicking off with an exhibition that blended intangible heritage, art, and design. The exhibition space was transformed into a “cultural laboratory” that felt both steeped in tradition and charged with contemporary energy. Wang Qi led the overall redesign, while the exhibition narrative was carefully crafted by An Wenzhuo, Jia Shu flexibly coordinated the entire event.
Visitors could immerse themselves in the depth of Chinese traditional culture and see its innovative expressions in a modern setting. It felt like taking part in a cultural conversation that spanned centuries.
Intangible Heritage on the Road
The MiniTalk session, led by founder Cai Qing under the banner “Intangible Heritage on the Road,” highlighted rural artisans and design-driven cultural products. It featured original works from Chinese village workshops, introduced Eastern craftsmanship to a Western audience, and underscored the artisans’ resilience, cultural diversity, and commitment to sustainability.
Speakers engaged in deep discussions on cultural exchange, artistic creation, and China-Italy collaboration, using heartfelt stories to spark genuine resonance in the room.
Dragon Boat Tea Ceremony and Rice Journey
In honor of the Dragon Boat Festival, the event featured a special tea ceremony by Lory Tea Studio and a “Rice Journey” by JOYY! Food Design. Guests savored the mellow aroma of Pu’er tea and sampled various zongzi. They then enjoyed Wu Mingxuan’s “Dragon Boat Cocktail and Paper-Cut Desserts,” a playful fusion of traditions.
These interactive moments brought people from diverse backgrounds closer. They also transformed Echo Culture Lab into a warm, lively community united in cultural exchange.
A Mission of Response and Resonance
“Echo” signifies both a response to traditional culture and a thoughtful reflection on today’s cultural interactions. Echo Culture Lab was founded by a team of young Chinese under the auspices of APICAIA (the Italy-Asia Cultural and Arts Exchange Association).
It aims to offer a platform for Chinese and Italian creatives—artisans, artists, designers, and cultural professionals. Its focus is youth, intangible heritage, and contemporary expression.
As APICAIA’s chairperson, Axi put it, “We want to prove that traditional culture isn’t a museum relic—it’s a living, speaking force in the world.”
A Passionate Manifesto for Cultural Outreach
The launch of Echo Culture Lab was more than an exhibition. It was a heartfelt declaration by passionate young advocates of Eastern culture. Driven by a dedication to preservation and a boldness in innovation, they orchestrated exhibitions and conversations that convey their unwavering belief in sharing Chinese culture.
They hope their efforts will help more Italians hear the voice of the East and feel the warmth and charm of China. For these young founders, Echo Culture Lab is not just a studio—it’s a bridge between their homeland and their new home.
Looking Ahead: Continuing to Fuel Cultural Energy
The opening is only the beginning. Moving forward, Echo Culture Lab will launch more educational programs—bilingual talks and hands-on workshops. It will forge long-term collaborations with intangible-heritage workshops and youth co-creation projects, such as cross-cultural exhibitions and residency programs. Academic partnerships with universities will also be formed to keep the cultural echo alive and vibrant.
Echo Culture Lab sparks culture, fosters resonance, and encourages sharing. It gives every young lover of Eastern culture a voice and a stage.
