Chongqing- On 28th June 2020, Lorenzo Buttarello delivered his graduation speech at Chongqing University, where he described himself as a true son of Chongqing who has explored every corner of the city over the past six years in the perfect local dialect, and much to the pleasure of the audience.
Little did he imagine that come the same evening, he would have amassed eight million views and over 350,000 likes on the social media platform TikTok in China.
Lorenzo comes from the Italian city of Varese in Lombardy, nearby Lake Como. After studying a bachelor's degree in the subject of intercultural communication in Milan, he came to Chongqing on the recommendation of his professor, who recommended the city based on its rapid economic expansion and the outgoing personality of the locals.
Just a few days after going viral, Lorenzo accepted an invitation from iChongqing to share his experiences, including how he learned the dialect, the online reaction to his speech, and what his plans are for the future.
Lorenzo Buttarello delivers his graduation speech that went viral for his authentic grasp of Chongqing-Hua!
Click here to watch his full graduation speech delivered at Chongqing University A Campus (Youtube link).