The international symposium and art exhibition "Renaissance in the East" convened in Florence from July 8^th to 12^th. The event was hosted by Renmin University of China, the Chinese Artists Association, and the Chinese National Academy of Painting and co-hosted by Renmin University’s School of Arts and the Chinese Artists Association of Italy. The symposium and exhibition received enthusiastic support from the Chinese Embassy in Italy, as well as from the Italian Ministry of Culture, the provincial government, and other institutions. Curator and art critic Alessandro Vezzosi and Chinese curator WU Hongbin chaired the symposium. The theme of "Renaissance in the East" in the context of globalization, cross-cultural dialogue, and innovation was conceived of at Renmin University, where in December 2014 an important research platform for international academic exchanges was established: RUC’s Renaissance Institute is the first academic institution in China to focus primarily on Renaissance research. It looks at Eastern and Western art in juxtaposition and explores the rejuvenation of culture through a return to its ancient roots and the introduction of a cross-cultural perspective into Renaissance studies. During the symposium, Director of RUC’s Renaissance Institute, Professor DING Fang entered into in-depth discussion around his notion of the “Eastern Renaissance” with his Italian fellow panelists Cristina Acidini (former museum director in Florence), Andrea Granchi (Dean of the School of Painting at the Italian Art Academy), Sandro Bellesi (professor at the Florence Academy of Fine Arts), Isabella Gagliardi (professor at Florence University), Emanuele Pellegrini (professor at the Lucca Institute for Advanced Studies) and Gerardo de Simone (professor at the Carrara Academy of Fine Arts. Professor DING Fang put forward his concept of an "Eastern Renaissance," which he sees as the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation; it pursues a return to China’s cultural roots and engages the experience of the Western Renaissance as a civilizational counterpart. The Renaissance of Western literature and art draws on the essence of ancient Greek civilization while ignoring the ancient East. The Persian, Indian, and Chinese cultures form the spiritual resources of the "Eastern Renaissance." Professor DING describes the forceful approach of this renaissance along the ancient Silk Road as a highpoint in reviving the ancient treasures of human culture. The virtual museum curator Alessandro Vezzosi emphasized that Professor DING Fang was not only a magnificent artist, but also an original thinker. Vezzosi acknowledged DING as the proponent of an innovative concept, whose imagination the Italian audience of artists and art historians found deeply fascinating. The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation as presented from the perspective of a Chinese artist held great appeal for those who attended the event. Andrea Granchi of the Italian Art Academy, too, offered a positive assessment of Professor DING Fang’s work, stating that it took great courage for an artist to confront the Renaissance masters and introduce interpretations of originality and innovation. DING’s theme of an Eastern, or Chinese, Renaissance, has far-reaching implications for our reading of art history and has enlivened contemporary Renaissance research. Works of Professor DING Fang that were exhibited at the event included paintings from his series "Tribute to the Renaissance Masters” such as The Twelve Apostles and The Twelve Prophets. Granchi noted that DING’s transformations had imbued the masterpieces with new life and originality of thought.