On the evening of October 25, 2025, the World Peace Culture & Arts Festival 2025 – Follo Edition was grandly held at the Teatro del Parco Comunale in Follo. The evening also witnessed a moment of profound significance—Master Wuyue was awarded the 30th Italian Republic Premio Lunezia Special Lifetime Achievement Award.
The concert was passionately performed by the Wuyue Symphony Orchestra. Due to stage limitations, the ensemble was adapted to a chamber orchestra of approximately thirty musicians, with Deputy Head of the Orchestra, Shi Zhengshu, conducting the first three pieces. Despite the smaller scale, the purity and intensity of the music were heightened, presenting a performance of exquisite refinement.
Subsequently, Master Wuyue took the podium, instantly electrifying the atmosphere. His commanding presence and spiritual power intertwined, with every musical nuance deeply moving the audience, who responded with prolonged applause and cheers, immersed in the profound experience where music and Zen converged.
Programme
The White-Haired Girl Suite
Spanish Bullfighter
Spring Festival Overture
Sunshine Over Tashkurgan
The Gypsy Baron
Blossoms and Full Moon
Golden Snakes Dance Wildly
Can-Can
Radetzky March
Amid fervent acclaim, the award ceremony was solemnly held. Mayor of Follo, Ms. Rita Mazzi, and the President of the Premio Lunezia Committee, Stefano De Martino, personally presented Master Wuyue with the "Italian Republic Premio Lunezia Special Lifetime Achievement Award."
In his address, President Stefano De Martino stated:
"For the first time since its inception, Premio Lunezia has honored a musician whose work transcends lyrics. Master Wuyue's music and Zen spirit have long surpassed the boundaries of words, becoming a bridge between soul and art. He is also the first Chinese musician in the award's history to receive this honor."
The live audience cheered continuously, with unceasing applause filling the venue. This moment not only celebrated Master Wuyue's artistic achievements but also symbolized the convergence of Eastern and Western cultures in peace and compassion.
The official citation reads:
"In the hall where music and literature intertwine, the Premio Lunezia honors not only melody and poetry but also the creative power that touches the soul and transcends all boundaries. Master Wuyue strings compassion and harmonies wisdom, merging the spirit of Eastern Buddhism with the essence of Western symphony. His music speaks not merely to the ear, but directly to the heart; it belongs not only to the stage, but has become a spiritual treasure for all humanity. He is undoubtedly the supreme master of the contemporary Zen music tradition and the first Zen monk-artist active across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Today, the Premio Lunezia is conferred upon Master Wuyue in recognition of the profound poetry inherent in his art and the universal message of peace, compassion, and love conveyed through his music. This honor not only celebrates his artistic journey but also represents a luminous promise—symbolizing a future rich with dialogue and cultural fusion."
Premio Lunezia: An Overview
Established in 1996, Premio Lunezia stands as one of Italy's most prestigious literary and artistic awards, recognizing "outstanding contributions to the fusion of music and literature." Renowned for its commitment to honoring "the perfect union of melody and poetic expression," it is often regarded as the Nobel Prize of the Italian music scene.
Notable past laureates include:
Lucio Dalla – National treasure, singer-songwriter, and poet;
Francesco De Gregori – Celebrated Italian "singer-poet";
Laura Pausini – Grammy Award-winning diva;
Andrea Bocelli – One of the world's most revered lyric tenors.
The award ceremonies have also been graced by addresses from multiple Presidents of the Italian Republic and Ministers of Culture.
This year, Premio Lunezia conferred its Lifetime Achievement Award for the first time upon a Chinese artist—Master Shi Wuyue. This recognition not only affirms the universal value and spirit of his music but also marks a significant milestone in the history of global cultural exchange and peace.
