By LONG Yun

Xi'an stands as a crucial cradle of the rich Chinese civilization, which today drives its vibrant appeal. In a recent activity held to experience the charm of this time-honored city, foreign experts were invited to discover the historical delights and cultural passions that embody Xi'an. Some of them shared their own experiences and impressions with Science and Technology Daily recently.

An Italian Expert works at the site of Konka Smart Application factory. (PHOTO: LONG Yun/S&T Daily)

When history meets modernization

Canadian scientist Razaqpur Abdul Ghani is in Xi'an for the third time.

"Xi'an is the combination of history with modernization that makes this city unique in some ways," said Ghani, noting that the miracle of the Terracotta Warriors reminds him of Chinese people's determination to complete large or important projects in spite of difficulties.

His comments were echoed by other foreign experts. "While deeply rooted in history, Xi'an is also a modern and rapidly developing city. It has seen significant economic growth and urbanization in recent decades, with a booming technology and education sector," said Rasha Khalid, a Syrian scholar from Sichuan International Studies University.

Flora Gaetani, an Italian professor from Xi'an Jiaotong University, came to the city one year ago. She is impressed by the historical aspects, particularly the intricate patterns and textures found in its ancient architecture. At the same time, Gaetani said that the modern and efficient ways of transportation system in Xi'an makes it a favorable place for her to live and work.

The ancient city wall of Xi'an. (PHOTO: XINHUA)

A city undergoing all-around changes

Dirk Werner Hartmann, a German language expert working at Xi'an FanYi University, considers himself a Xi'an local despite his foreign origin and underscored the city's evolving nature.

In 1988, Hartmann, then a German exchange student, took a grueling 23-hour hard-seated train journey from Wuhan to Xi'an to celebrate the Spring Festival with his Chinese classmates. He has been living permanently in Xi'an for 12 years and witnessed the city's rapid development in many fields, "The wide availability of high-speed trains has transformed our lives, significantly improving our efficiency. This change has brought tangible benefits to people," said Hartmann, adding that these positive changes have also impacted Chinese people.

As a language teacher, Hartmann attaches great importance to Xian's internationalization. The city has made efforts to incorporate English into its infrastructure, with proper English translations on road signs. These initiatives reflect Xi'an's commitment to promoting openness.

Xi'an is home

Xi'an is a city of inspiration with many hidden gems. Croatian couple Ivica Somic and Vitomira Loncar now work as professors at Xi'an Eurasia University and for both of them Xi'an is home.

Somic shared a touching story from his arrival in China in 2015. During that time, he was struggling to find his creative passion.

One day, while visiting a beautiful museum of traditional architecture, he stumbled upon a tiny outdoor theater. In this setting, he witnessed a group of locals playing traditional music, and he was captivated by the sheer passion and joy they put into their performance. He felt a strong connection with the man playing the banjo, who seemed to embody the passion and vitality he had lost. "I found a brother in China," he has since grown to feel a sense of belonging in engaging with the culture and its people.

The story of Loncar, Somic's wife, is about "giving." Two years ago, one of her students with limited English proficiency made their interaction mainly dependent on phone messages or translation tools. Gradually, Loncar's passion for the arts ignited the student's interest in theater and English learning and led her to excel in her exams. The students even successfully applied for international learning opportunities due to Loncar's help. "Those experiences enrich my life and inject new passion into my life," she said.