The 2025 Xizu temple Buddha's Birthday and the First World Peace and Cultural Art Festival will witness an extraordinary fusion of Eastern spirituality and Western artistry. From May 5 to May 7, five luminaries from diverse disciplines will gather at Xizu Temple, using art as their vessel and faith as their compass to compose a symphony of civilizational harmony.
Andrea Pirlo | The "Green Pitch Zen Master" Who Writes Poetry with Football
From World Cup legend to spiritual seeker, Pirlo's precision passes embody the Buddhist concept of "egolessness." At this festival, the midfield maestro will dialogue with Dharma wisdom under the Bodhi tree, demonstrating how "the instant contains eternity" through football philosophy.
Andrea Pirlo was born on May 19, 1979 in Brescia, Italy. A former Italian professional footballer and coach, he played as a midfielder during his illustrious career.
Pirlo's exceptional career achievements include:
His notable career milestones:
August 1, 2007: Won the UEFA Super Cup with AC Milan (2007-2008 season)
August 19, 2014: Secured the Italian Super Cup with Juventus FC (2013-2014 season)
May 28, 2021: Appointed as head coach of Juventus FC
March 14, 2022: Inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC)
Zhang Chu | The Balladeer Who Strummed a Generation's Soul
From “Sister” to “Bright Avenue”, his lyrics are koans piercing through modernity's fog. On Buddha's birthday eve, his raspy vocals will intertwine with Sanskrit chants as guitar strings resonate with Indian Ocean breezes.
A renowned male singer and music producer from Mainland China, recognized as a pioneering figure in the Chinese rock movement of the 1990s.
His song lyrics are deeply imbued with the essence of modern poetry, characterized by nuanced subtlety and profound depth. Through this marginalized literary form, he articulates his philosophical contemplations and personal experiences. His musical works are distinguished by their poignant melancholy and sonorous, expansive vocal delivery, with lyrics and melodies existing in inseparable unity.
Notable representative works include:
Poet, scholar, essayist, and art critic, recognized as a distinguished member of the China Literature and Art Critics Association. He previously served as President of the Jinan Literary Critics Association, demonstrating his leadership in the field of cultural criticism.
With a prolific literary career, he has authored over one thousand poems and published hundreds of critical essays on poetry and cultural studies. His significant contributions to international literary exchange include the bilingual (Chinese-Italian) poetry collection Io e l'Italia (My Italy), published in Italy. This seminal work was honored with the prestigious "Fabrizio De André's World" Special Award, recognizing its outstanding artistic merit and cross-cultural significance.
Professor Xiao Xin was born in Dezhou, Shandong Province. In 2000, he commenced his graduate studies under the esteemed guidance of Professor Ouyang Zhongshi at Capital Normal University, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree with a specialization in Calligraphy.
As a distinguished contemporary scholar and critic in cultural and artistic studies, he has published dozens of academic papers in peer-reviewed journals. A master of traditional Chinese calligraphy, he demonstrates exceptional proficiency in the four principal script styles: Regular (楷书), Running (行书), Cursive (草书), and Clerical (隶书). His artistic practice further extends to ink painting and installation art.
Professor [Name]'s works have been exhibited in numerous prestigious art exhibitions across East Asia, Italy, and throughout China, showcasing his profound contributions to both traditional and contemporary artistic expressions.
7Grani | Alpine Folk with Buddhist Soul
The Italian ensemble will premiere Music Is Peace—where accordion whispers converse with Sanskrit mantras, proving harmonious melodies need no translation.
Formed in 2003, 7Grani is an acclaimed Italian folk ensemble comprising three core members: Fabrizio 7Grani, Flavio 7Grani, and Mauro 7Grani. The band has developed a distinctive musical style that artfully blends traditional folk motifs with contemporary rock elements, synthesizing the lyrical qualities of Italian rural ballads with the dynamic rhythms of modern rock.
Their signature composition, "Universo fragile," achieved remarkable international recognition, maintaining the top position on Oregon's premier international online radio charts for multiple consecutive months.
Beyond their musical accomplishments, the ensemble has demonstrated a sustained commitment to fostering Sino-foreign cultural relations through active participation in numerous international cultural exchange initiatives. Their artistic repertoire includes innovative interpretations of Chinese classical pieces such as "Jasmine Flower" and "Wild Goose," which they have skillfully adapted with distinctive Italian musical characteristics. These cross-cultural adaptations have significantly enhanced the ensemble's connection with diverse global audiences.
The bell of Buddha's birthday is the beat of the heartbeat of the earth
In May, let us use art as a bridge to witness the ultimate fusion of football and Buddhist beads, ink and stars, poems and tides.