The exhibition Real and Imaginary Lands, China and Marco Polo: A Tale of Books kicks off at the Shanghai Library in East China, showcasing original Italian manuscripts and featuring over 100 significant documents from both China and abroad. Photo: Courtesy of Shanghai Library

The exhibition Real and Imaginary Lands, China and Marco Polo: A Tale of Books opened at the Shanghai Library in East China, showcasing original Italian manuscripts and featuring over 100 significant documents from both China and abroad, marking the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death. 

Supported by Italian collecting institutions and the Shanghai Library, documents including early manuscripts and various printed editions of The Travels of Marco Polo, Chinese books and newspapers related to Marco Polo since the 19th century, and rare documents resulting from cultural exchanges between China and Italy are on the show.

Notably, four representative original manuscripts of The Travels of Marco Polo and rare handwritten documents such as the will of Marco Polo's uncle, Maffeo Polo, are being exhibited for the first time in China from renowned Italian collections.

Zhu Yuhua, president of the Associazione Cina-Italia di Shanghai, told the Global Times on Sunday that Marco Polo, as an explorer, provided a comprehensive introduction to China, not just at the commercial level. 

"Marco Polo's manuscript documents are very precious that Polo, as an explorer, provided a comprehensive introduction of the Chinese culture at that time and the culture of the ancient Silk Road," said Zhu, adding that Polo is more accurately seen as a traveler and explorer rather than solely a merchant. 

At the end of the 13th century, shortly after Marco Polo returned to Venice from China, a war broke out between Venice and Genoa, during which Marco Polo was injured and captured. While in prison, he recounted the wealth and wonders of the East to his cellmate, who recorded Polo's stories, which are what we know today as The Travels of Marco Polo.

Francesco D'Arelli, director of the Italian Institute of Culture in Shanghai, told the Global Times on Sunday that it has opened a real window to the West, to understand in a different way what was China like at that time. 

"Before Marco Polo, we had a lot of images but not so concrete, not so real representation of China. Polo was the first medieval figure to spend 17 years in China, describing his observations. This is the main source, and that's why it's very reliable," D'Arelli noted. 

This year marks the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death as well as the 20th Anniversary of the establishment of comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy. 

Chen Chao, director of the Shanghai Library, told the Global Times that Marco Polo's travelogue is not only a vivid record of a glorious historical period but also a valuable bridge connecting Chinese and Italian cultures, as well as East and West, leaving a rich cultural legacy for future generations.

"The historical exchanges between China and Italy are deep-rooted. The different materials and spiritual cultures of the two countries have continually blended and innovated throughout their long interactions, significantly promoting the progress of human civilization," Chen said.

D'Arelli also noted that the exhibition aims to highlight the ongoing exchanges between Italy and China beginning with the earliest travel writings of Marco Polo.

"It is not a monologue but is dialogue, where Latin and Italian texts interact with Chinese writings, revealing traces of Marco Polo's experiences," D'Arelli said.