For example, a booth of the Confucius Institute in Rome was crowded with people waiting to have their names, or a nice phrase, written in Chinese characters.

But some of the visitors, like young Mattia, tried to do it themselves.

"He has just begun to take a Chinese-language class at his primary school, and he seems to be enjoying it very much," says Mattia's father, Iuri, from Genzano on the outskirts of Rome.

It was the first time that Iuri had brought his family to attend the Chinese New Year celebrations in Rome. He hoped that the event will become more popular.

"I like it (Chinese class). We do a lot of homework assignments," Mattia says before writing the first three numbers as characters.

Meanwhile, according to Zhang Hong, the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Rome, increasing numbers of Italians are showing interest in learning Chinese.

About 3,000 students are registered for courses provided by eight Confucius Institutes across Italy.

"We have three types of students: Italian seniors; college students who hope to benefit in term of job opportunities; and a growing number of children," the director says.

Chinese cuisine was another highlight of the street festival.

At one of the stands, food sculptures portraying creatures ranging from a Chinese dragon to a colorful green-and-red peacock wowed visitors.