A poster of the screening of Marco Polo Photo: Courtesy of Italian Embassy in China

 

A screening of the first episode of the TV series Marco Polo was held at the Italian Institute of Culture, Embassy of Italy in Beijing on Thursday evening, as part of the new column titled In the Footsteps of Marco Polo launched by the embassy.

The test screening was held at the institute during the Spring Festival break, during which time many returned to their hometowns and missed the screening. Due to popular demand, however, the institute decided to screen the first episode again on Thursday, the institute told the Global Times.  
 
The year 2024 is of particular significance for China-Italy cooperation, as it saw the commemoration of the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death and the 20th anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed between the two countries.

The Italian Embassy launched the In the Footsteps of Marco Polo that aimed at introducing significant Italian figures who, in different eras and capacities, inherited the legacy of Marco Polo, the Venetian traveler and merchant.

The Italian Embassy in China initiated a series of events starting on January 25 to commemorate the anniversary of Marco Polo's death. Italian Ambassador to China Massimo Ambrosetti emphasized the importance of Marco Polo in China-Italy relations, highlighting his role as a symbol of cultural exchange that has played an indispensable role in bilateral relations.