The year 2024 marks the 700th anniversary of the passing of Marco Polo, the "pioneer of Sino-Western cultural exchange and a great envoy." To commemorate this significant figure and to promote the continuous friendly cultural exchange between China and Italy, China National Publications Import & Export Corporation Limited, in collaboration with the Straits Publishing & Distributing Group and the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana in Venice, Italy, are jointly hosting the “Seek and Explore” Marco Polo’s Wondrous Journey - In Memory of 700th Anniversary of Marco Polo’s Passing Cultural and Creative Exhibition. This event has also received attention and strong support from Municipality of the Venice and the Marco Polo Memorial Committee in Venice.
The exhibition is composed of six sections: "Influence", "Impressions", "Ciao", "Truth", "Imagination" and "Set Sail", starting from books and text, delving into the content of The Travels of Marco Polo, extracting the humanistic spirit of "exploration and knowledge-seeking," and showcasing original artistic illustrations and precious collections of the Travels of Marco Polo from the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana and the Shanghai Library.
By employing cutting-edge technologies such as Mixed Reality (MR) and Generative Artificial Intelligence (AIGC), the exhibition creates a blend of virtual and reality, a cultural and creative exhibition that travels "from the book to the future." Utilizing a "culture + technology" approach, it leads the public, especially the generation Z, to understand and explore the unique Chinese culture, and to experience Marco Polo's spirit of daring exploration and bold pursuit of knowledge. This exhibition is a public welfare, civilian cultural exchange activity aimed at enhancing mutual cultural understanding and recognition between the peoples of the two countries and promoting friendly cultural exchanges and innovation between China and Italy.