First lady Chow Mei-ching (周美青) arrived in Rome on Sunday evening in her capacity as honorary director of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre.
Instead of going to her hotel for a rest after a long-haul flight from Taipei, Chow insisted on traveling to Tivoli on the outskirts of Rome to meet Cloud Gate dancers who had arrived a few days previously in preparation for their performances later this week.
Chow took hand warmers from Taiwan to present to the dancers as gifts to boost their morale ahead of the performances.
PHOTO: CNA
Cloud Gate members were quoted as saying that Chow’s appearance came as a surprise because they did not expect the first lady would see them directly after her arrival.
“Many of us were very excited and exclaimed out in joy,” one dancer said.
Chow was greeted by Taiwanese Representative to Italy William Yih (易榮宗), Ambassador to the Holy See Larry Wang (王豫元) and China Airlines executives in Rome upon her arrival at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport.
Camillo Zuccoli, secretary-general of the Italy-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, presented a bouquet at the airport to welcome Chow on behalf of the Italian parliament.
Yih said he was grateful for the Italian government’s granting of special courtesies to Chow, who was ferried directly from the airport apron to a VIP room by limousine, without having to pass through immigration.
This is Chow’s first trip to Italy since President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) took office in May 2008. She appeared happy and in good spirits while exchanging greetings with well-wishers.
Earlier this month, Chow led Cloud Gate dancers on a tour of Russia, where they performed Whisper of Flowers at the Chekhov International Theatre Festival from June 10 through June 13.
This time, Chow will accompany the ensemble while they perform in Italy and Spain.
Cloud Gate will stage its classic Songs of the Wanderers today and tomorrow at the Villa Adriana, a complex of classical buildings in Tivoli, near Rome, that was created in the 2nd century by Roman emperor Hadrian.
The troupe will also perform at the Ravenna Festival in northeastern Italy from next Monday through June 29, before flying to Barcelona, Spain, on June 30.
In Spain, the ensemble will present its widely acclaimed Wild Cursive at the Grec Festival in Barcelona from July 1 through July 4.
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