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In an epic historical story that talks directly to our times, Cross and Dragon dramatizes the life of one of the most famous Western figures in China: Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci. Sent by the Pope in the late 16th century to convert the Chinese Emperor, Ricci was faced with a “mission impossible” as China in the Ming Dynasty did not allow foreigners to enter the country.
Initially, dressed like a Buddhist monk, he slipped into the country, where he impressed everyone he met with his secret weapons: remarkable memory techniques and the latest Western science.
He stayed for 30 years. During this time, his journey took him from southern China and rural life to the mesmerizing city of Nanking and on to Peking, where he eventually had an office in the Forbidden City. Through his belief in cultural engagement rather than military confrontation, he opened new doors for East–West understanding.
“The history, cultural, and personal events related to Father Matteo Ricci over 400 years ago, sit at the heart of the problems that China has today with the West and the rest of the world. Today, as before, China and the West look at each other without understanding but with great curiosity. Through his translations of the Chinese Confucian classics into Latin, Ricci introduced Europe to the depth, complexity, and diversity of Chinese civilization. This caused profound cultural change in the West, including influence on the Enlightenment.”
—Francesco Sisci, Italian Sinologist