By Micol Stano
April 3, 2024
The City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), organised a series of events as part of the global events to honour the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo’s death, in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute in Hong Kong and Macau and the Consulate General of Italy in Hong Kong, starting from 26 March 2024.
With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and cultural communication, the university aspired to bring Marco Polo’s incredible story to life for a wide audience.
To commemorate the renowned Italian merchant and traveller, a photo exhibition called “Marco Polo and his footprints”, was curated by the Italian news agency ANSA. This visually spectacular display provides a glimpse into the most significant places of Marco Polo’s journeys.
In his time, Marco Polo recounted what he saw and heard in China in his writings, which were later widely circulated in Europe, arousing Europeans’ passionate yearning for the East, and having a great impact on the opening of the New Route in the future.
The photo exhibition highlights Marco Polo’s ongoing influence and the enormous impact that his journeys had on the exchange of cultures between the East and West.
“I didn’t expect to see this kind of exhibition inside the school, I think it’s very special and I have a better understanding of Marco Polo as a Western historical figure,” said Lynn Lam, a university student at the photo exhibition.
A lecture entitled “Marco Polo 700 Years After” by a famous Italian writer, Federico Rampini, was held by the University on 26 March. The lecture offered an informative look into Marco Polo’s long-lasting influence on world history, trade, and cultural interaction. It covers the historical portrayal of China, the significance of the original Silk Road, and its impact on the economics and cultures of the West. It also explores the history of China’s presence in Europe following the expedition of Marco Polo.
The public lecture hosted more than 100 guests, including faculty members and students.
Yvonne Wang, a CityUHK student who attended the lecture, expressed her surprise at the depth of knowledge gained saying, “I came to this lecture just out of curiosity and I didn’t expect to get much out of it. I myself am interested in Chinese and Western history, and I think Mr Rampini’s lecture gave me a deeper understanding of this aspect.”
Rampini engaged with the audience after the lecture, answering their questions, and further enhancing their understanding of the content. “Some of the answers to the myths that followed the presentation were equally beneficial,” added Wang. The audience learned more about the historical context and the influence Marco Polo’s expedition had on East-West cultural interaction by engaging in it.
The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at CityUHK, a centre for Sino-Overseas exchange, has developed a cross-cultural study program for secondary schools. Three talks regarding humanities and social science topics were scheduled and delivered by prominent professors, giving the chance to secondary school students to participate and engage in the activities.
Through these programs, CityUHK is successfully fostering cultural interaction while promoting a better understanding of Marco Polo’s historical significance, and impact on intercultural relations. By exploring the long-term impact of his journeys on the East and West, the university also encourages a broad perspective on the interconnection of diverse cultures worldwide.
Reported by Micol Stano
Edited by Alisha and Jasmine