**Interviewer:** Can you give us a brief overview of the exhibition “Legendary Journey: Marco Polo and the World on the Silk Road”? What are some of the standout exhibits?
**Guicciardo Sassoli de’ Bianchi Strozzi:** The exhibition features a total of 135 artifacts from 13 Italian museums and 2 Chinese museums. These items, including coins, maps, and handcrafted textiles from the 13th century, illustrate how Marco Polo and his followers traveled from Venice to Beijing, bridging the ancient civilizations represented by Italy and China.
Some exhibits are particularly fascinating. For instance, we have a replica of Marco Polo’s will, which specifies that he left all his possessions to his family, including items he received from the Emperor of China. This provides historical context and is a significant reason for the exhibition’s importance.
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**Interviewer:** Given that the exhibition revolves around “The Travels of Marco Polo,” what is your assessment of the book?
**Guicciardo Sassoli de’ Bianchi Strozzi:** “The Travels of Marco Polo” is an essential resource for understanding China as it was at the time, authored by someone who actually visited. Prior to Marco Polo, Europeans held only imagined notions of China. Thanks to his writings, we gain insight into real cities, goods, and architecture of that era, and later historical research corroborates his observations.
The book was an instant success upon its release, translated into various languages, and circulated among the courts and aristocrats of Europe. Merchants also used it as a guide for their journeys to China, everyone eager to learn about his experiences. Additionally, “The Travels” made its way to China, helping the Chinese understand the perspectives of Venetian merchants and politicians.
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**Interviewer:** How do you perceive Marco Polo as a person? Why is he regarded as a pioneer of cultural exchange between the East and the West?
**Guicciardo Sassoli de’ Bianchi Strozzi:** Marco Polo was a curious individual who genuinely engaged in cultural exchange. Coming from the beautiful and ancient city of Venice, he observed everything around him with an earnest desire to understand what he encountered. He described things faithfully, without prejudice towards different cultures and religions. He truly enjoyed sharing the grand, fascinating, and diverse things he experienced.
Marco Polo paved the way for his successors to traverse between Italy and China, experiencing various cultures and blending them. Interestingly, through this exchange, Chinese aesthetics influenced Italian craftsmanship, including furniture and artistry. The term “chinoiserie” reflects the admiration Italians had for Chinese aesthetics.
Marco Polo wasn’t just a traveler; he was a cultural ambassador who played a significant role in fostering mutual understanding between two distinctly different civilizations.
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**Interviewer:** This year marks the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo’s death, with a series of commemorative activities taking place in China and Italy. What relevance does commemorating Marco Polo hold in today’s world?
**Guicciardo Sassoli de’ Bianchi Strozzi:** Now, 700 years after Marco Polo’s death, it is indeed the right time to commemorate this important cultural figure. Remembering him helps us better understand each other. He reminds us that problems can always be solved and connections can be maintained, as long as we travel persistently in search of building relationships and sharing cultures and experiences.
By sharing what he learned in “The Travels of Marco Polo,” he sought to unite two cultures. He encouraged openness and understanding of differences, leading people to acquire knowledge with broader perspectives. Without “The Travels,” it’s likely that few would even discuss Marco Polo. Moreover, without him, European understanding of China might not have reached the depth it did over the centuries.
What Marco Polo accomplished—and what we aim to achieve through this exhibition—is to maintain openness between countries with ancient ties. We want to show that these connections still exist and promote them. It’s crucial to remember our history, draw energy from it, and create something great anew.
Our message is to embrace the world without prejudice and appreciate everything before us with an open mind. Marco Polo was a real person, and if he could achieve such understanding, so can we.
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**Interviewee’s Background:**
Guicciardo Sassoli de’ Bianchi Strozzi is an Italian art historian and critic, specializing in the history of art criticism from the Renaissance to the early 20th century. He collaborates with multiple museums, institutions, and universities, serving as a consultant and lead curator for various exhibitions. In 2024, he served as a curator for the exhibition “Legendary Journey: Marco Polo and the World on the Silk Road.”
