Writing the Italians' guide
By Judith Tietel |
October 14, 2011, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
WHO would believe that there is a well-organized Italian community in Suzhou? And that you can join an authentic Italian Christmas dinner every year with the Italian Consul General and director of the Italian trade commission?
Eight years ago, Marisa Liviero made a decision that completely changed her life. She decided to leave her familiar life in a small town in Italy and follow her husband to China, to an unknown city called Suzhou.
At that time, only a few Italians lived in the city of neighboring Jiangsu Province. Her son was the first Italian student in Suzhou International School.
At first she felt lost and a bit lonesome from time to time. Before moving to China, she worked as a teacher in a small town in Italy called Cittadella; when she first arrived in Suzhou, she didn't know what to do.
But Liviero is resourceful. She started to learn Chinese and it didn't take long until she found two jobs.
First, she helped an Italian engineer open a metals-testing laboratory and then became its manager. The company helps many manufacturers and her most important job is to establish a relationship with customers and explain new developments and advances to them.
Second, in her free time she has helped to build up the Italian community in Suzhou and that's her claim to fame. Her greatest success is the annual, beloved Christmas dinner, Italian style.
"The idea came to mind soon after we settled here," she says, and she organized the first dinner in 2005.
At that time around 30 Italians attended. Last year, it was a real party with 150 guests, including Italian Consul General in Shanghai Vincenzo de Luca and the director of the Italian trade commission.
"They always ask me, when there will be a traditional Easter party," she says, but so far there hasn't been time to organize it.
Liviero is also creative. The 49-year-old woman wrote a travel and living guide for Italians in Suzhou in 2008; the second edition is coming out this December.
"Suzhou is growing and developing so fast, I really had to update the guide," Liviero says.
The handy, yellow book in Italian - and Chinese to show taxi drivers - contains important addresses and phone numbers in case of emergency, as well as information about hotels, transport and shopping. It lists the best Chinese and international restaurants, the most beautiful and interesting sights - gardens, temples and museums.
There's lots of useful information for new Suzhou settlers, including information on customs and culture.
"When people just arrive in Suzhou, they mostly feel very disoriented," she says. "At first there was no information in Italian and for Italians. I wanted to improve the situation and share what I have learned."
And she succeeded.
Today around 250 Italians live in Suzhou, and Liviero is a well-known personality.
"Nowadays I'm so happy to live in China and I really love Suzhou, it's definitely my city," she says with enthusiasm.
She doesn't want to return to Italy, except on holidays. She speaks Chinese fluently and knows Suzhou very well. She goes to the gym, enjoys swimming and appreciates Chinese massage. "China is No. 1 for massage," she says.
Liviero hopes that she and her husband will retire one day in Asia. They will celebrate their silver (25th) wedding anniversary in 2013. Her son is already grown-up and is studying in London.
"I saw Suzhou growing very quickly," she says with a smile. "And I grew with Suzhou, too."
? Self-description:
Perhaps I'm just like many Italian women, who decide to follow their husband to China (laugh).
? Impression of Suzhou:
People in Suzhou really enjoy their lives. They are always smiling.
? Strangest sight:
When I first went to the old parts of Suzhou, I saw some people washing clothes with water from the greenish-brown canal. This was very unfamiliar.
? Worst or funniest experience:
I can't understand why people dye the hair of their dogs. That's horrible! The lovely, poor dogs.
? How to improve Suzhou:
I hope they preserve the old town and don't destroy everything in the course of modernization.
? Motto for life:
Enjoy life and cherish every day. I really appreciate every day God gives me as a gift.
Eight years ago, Marisa Liviero made a decision that completely changed her life. She decided to leave her familiar life in a small town in Italy and follow her husband to China, to an unknown city called Suzhou.
At that time, only a few Italians lived in the city of neighboring Jiangsu Province. Her son was the first Italian student in Suzhou International School.
At first she felt lost and a bit lonesome from time to time. Before moving to China, she worked as a teacher in a small town in Italy called Cittadella; when she first arrived in Suzhou, she didn't know what to do.
But Liviero is resourceful. She started to learn Chinese and it didn't take long until she found two jobs.
First, she helped an Italian engineer open a metals-testing laboratory and then became its manager. The company helps many manufacturers and her most important job is to establish a relationship with customers and explain new developments and advances to them.
Second, in her free time she has helped to build up the Italian community in Suzhou and that's her claim to fame. Her greatest success is the annual, beloved Christmas dinner, Italian style.
"The idea came to mind soon after we settled here," she says, and she organized the first dinner in 2005.
At that time around 30 Italians attended. Last year, it was a real party with 150 guests, including Italian Consul General in Shanghai Vincenzo de Luca and the director of the Italian trade commission.
"They always ask me, when there will be a traditional Easter party," she says, but so far there hasn't been time to organize it.
Liviero is also creative. The 49-year-old woman wrote a travel and living guide for Italians in Suzhou in 2008; the second edition is coming out this December.
"Suzhou is growing and developing so fast, I really had to update the guide," Liviero says.
The handy, yellow book in Italian - and Chinese to show taxi drivers - contains important addresses and phone numbers in case of emergency, as well as information about hotels, transport and shopping. It lists the best Chinese and international restaurants, the most beautiful and interesting sights - gardens, temples and museums.
There's lots of useful information for new Suzhou settlers, including information on customs and culture.
"When people just arrive in Suzhou, they mostly feel very disoriented," she says. "At first there was no information in Italian and for Italians. I wanted to improve the situation and share what I have learned."
And she succeeded.
Today around 250 Italians live in Suzhou, and Liviero is a well-known personality.
"Nowadays I'm so happy to live in China and I really love Suzhou, it's definitely my city," she says with enthusiasm.
She doesn't want to return to Italy, except on holidays. She speaks Chinese fluently and knows Suzhou very well. She goes to the gym, enjoys swimming and appreciates Chinese massage. "China is No. 1 for massage," she says.
Liviero hopes that she and her husband will retire one day in Asia. They will celebrate their silver (25th) wedding anniversary in 2013. Her son is already grown-up and is studying in London.
"I saw Suzhou growing very quickly," she says with a smile. "And I grew with Suzhou, too."
? Self-description:
Perhaps I'm just like many Italian women, who decide to follow their husband to China (laugh).
? Impression of Suzhou:
People in Suzhou really enjoy their lives. They are always smiling.
? Strangest sight:
When I first went to the old parts of Suzhou, I saw some people washing clothes with water from the greenish-brown canal. This was very unfamiliar.
? Worst or funniest experience:
I can't understand why people dye the hair of their dogs. That's horrible! The lovely, poor dogs.
? How to improve Suzhou:
I hope they preserve the old town and don't destroy everything in the course of modernization.
? Motto for life:
Enjoy life and cherish every day. I really appreciate every day God gives me as a gift.
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