Forty-eight Italian hikers were yesterday toasted by the Italian
consul before they set out along the Silk Road. The hikers were
honored in the traditional "Cup of Stirrup" ceremony before
departing for 10-days of walking along parts of the ancient trading
route which once linked China to Italy. They plan to cover a total
of 1,004 kilometers.
Aged between 18 and 74 the hikers are acting as ambassadors of
peace, friendship and solidarity between China and Italy and also
hope to encourage people to donate their blood and organs after
death. All of them are members of the International "Life for Life"
Solidarity March established in 1975. It's the first time the
organization's annual march has been held in China.
"We've been to many cities in Europe, Russia and North America,
including Berlin, Rome and Moscow, all of which have hosted the
Olympics. Beijing will host the Games in 2008 and that is why we want to be
here," said team leader Lovo Lino. "The march through China is the
longest we've ever made."
The hikers, half of whom are women, will trace the footsteps of
historic Italian explorers Marco Polo, Odorico of Pordenone, Padre
Matteo Ricci of Macerata and Pompeo Mazzocchi. They'll stop at
Hangzhou, Nanjing, Zhengzhou, Xi'an, Taiyuan, Beijing, Jinan,
Xuzhou and Suzhou. They plan to return to Shanghai on August 20. A
hike will be held near each city with the distance covered
depending on the weather.
Lino said he wasn't sure what awaited them on the journey which
lay ahead but he was certain the march would be an intense and
fascinating experience. They'll ask translators along the way to
help them publicize the need for blood and organ donors in
China.
Battistel Lueciano has taken part in the international march
since 1983. This is the first time the 70-year-old has visited
China and he gave the country the thumbs up saying it was
"beautiful." He added that the summer heat would not be a problem
as Italy was also rather hot at the moment.
"I'm very proud to have the hikers in Shanghai," said Silvia
Costantini, consul of the Cultural Office of the Consulate General
of Italy in Shanghai. "2006 is the year of Italy in China and we've
organized many events," she said. "However this is the first
international march we've had."
The "Cup of Stirrup" ceremony originated in Italy in the 19th
century when people setting out on a long ride would be toasted
with a small cup of cordial the moment they put their foot into
their horse's stirrup.
(China Daily August 10, 2006)