Artifacts on display at the exhibition Photo: Courtesy of the Shanghai Museum

'Marco Polo' exhibition launches in Venice

Boasting around 300 cultural artifacts, an art show focusing on the life story of Italian voyager Marco Polo was recently launched at the Doge's Palace in Venice, Italy. 

The event commemorates the 700th anniversary of Marc Polo's death in 1324.

The artifacts on display include ceramics, silk textiles, jade wares and a gold coin that belonged to Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire. These items were not only collected by Italy or by the Shanghai Museum, but also contributed by cultural museums from countries like the UK and France. 

These relics are displayed across nine sections with themes like "archaeology," "belief" and the "travel notes of Marco Polo," introducing the history of the 12th to 16th centuries. 

The exhibition was jointly conceived by China's Shanghai Museum and the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia in Italy. The collaboration is a fulfillment of China and Italy's consensus for cultural exchange. 

Taking Marco Polo as its theme, the show also reflects on the two countries' mutual sharing spirit, which started when the ancient Italian explorer first arrived in China during the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368). 

Li Feng, a deputy director of the Shanghai Museum, said that it is hoped that such carefully selected gems can showcase the "social features and cultural exchanges" of China with Italy in the Marco Polo era. 

Li also said that he hopes the show can allow Italian museum-goers to experience the historical significance and realistic meaning of mutual learning and sharing between different cultures. 

The exhibition is scheduled to end in Italy on September 29. It will then tour to Shanghai in November. 

The exhibition is being held at Palazzo Ducale, also known as the Doge's Palace, in Italy. The site was built in the 1340s. 



'The Flying Dutchman' debuts in Beijing

German-language opera The Flying Dutchman debuted in Beijing at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) on Wednesday. 

The opera has been well received in China. Including the current iteration, the show has been performed three times at the NCPA. 

The Flying Dutchman was created by German composer Richard Wagner. Telling a story about love, the NCPA's interpretation of the Western piece is special due to its splendid stage design. 

Two giant sailboats have been installed on stage. The bigger one is nearly 13.6 meters long and 9 meters in width. The large prop aims to provide audiences with an immersive experience. 

High-tech projection screens were also installed on the stage to depict rough seas. 

Li Genshi, the stage manager of the show, said that the two ships along with the other stage decorations can engage audiences in an authentic experience of the story. 

The Flying Dutchman is Wagner's signature piece. It carries the strong emotional monologue of the artist. The piece was inspired by Wagner's own experience of witnessing a stormy sea on his way to London in 1839. 

The opera is set to end on April 14.