The Chinese delegation meets with officials from Italy's culture division on Oct 9. [Photo/ Lu Xun Culture Foundation]

Discussions on the life stories and great achievements of the Chinese litterateur Lu Xun (1881-1936) and Dante Alighieri (1265-1321), a major Italian poet of the Late Middle Ages, were held in Italy from Oct 7 to 11.

A Chinese delegation, made up of scholars from Lu Xun Culture Foundation and government officials from the master's hometown Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, visited their peers from the literary community of Italy during the five-day stay in the European country。

Though living in different times, Lu regarded Alighieri as one of his most admired writers. The Divine Comedy by the Italian poet exerted a deep influence on Lu's whole life, as well as his creations. "They have something in common in their spiritual worlds," said Zhou Lingfei, grandson of Lu and chairman of the Lu Xun Culture Foundation.

In Italy, members of the delegation exchanged ideas with foreign experts on the similarities and differences between the two literary figures' life and works, and sought further communications and cooperation with Italian cultural institutions.

Zhou Lingfei, grandson of Lu Xun, presents a gift to Cristiana Collu, director of Rome's National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art after productive talks on Oct 9. [Photo/Lu Xun Culture Foundation]

The Chinese delegation visits Dante Alighieri Society, a society that promotes the Italian language and culture around the world on Oct 10. [Photo/Lu Xun Culture Foundation]