On May 17, 2025, the Guangdong Publishing Group (GPG), in collaboration with the Bologna Children's Book Fair, launched a series of cultural exhibitions themed "The Light of Stories." These exhibitions showcase over 200 curated multilingual books gifted to the Ernesto Ragionieri Library in Sesto Fiorentino, Italy, and will last until August 8 this year. The curated books cover topics such as Chinese culture, Lingnan customs, and literature and arts.
Before the event, the Guangdong Publishing Group organized a special thematic donation titled "Pinocchio in Chinese," gathering more than 20 different Chinese editions of Pinocchio. Moreover, it participated in planning the "Chinese Excellence in Children's Illustration" exhibition to tell Chinese stories through an international visual language.
"These books not only enrich our collection but also offer new opportunities for readers to learn about China. Going forward, we will use books as a bridge to further foster China-Italy cultural exchange through activities including reading salons and cultural lectures," said Paola Biondi, director of the Ernesto Ragionieri Library in her address at the event.
Previously, the Guangdong Publishing Group brought Chinese publications to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt and the Cambridge Chinese Community Library in the UK.
Founded in 1869 by a local volunteer association with the aim of "promoting practical reading", the Sesto Fiorentino City Library was renamed in 2000 in honor of the renowned historian Ernesto Ragionieri. Since 2010, the library has been housed in the Villa Buondelmonti, a former site of the famous Doccia Porcelain Factory since 1737. Currently, the library holds nearly 100,000 volumes and boasts a special collection of rare and valuable ancient books, including early 16th-century editions.
Photo | Guangdong Publishing Group
Editor | Huang Xi (intern), Li Lan (intern), Wei Shen, James, Shen He
