As 2024 marks the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's legacy, it also celebrates the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 20th anniversary of the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership. These milestones highlight the enduring bond between two ancient civilizations.
The micro-documentary \"O Sole Mio, My Mi-se\" masterfully blends real-life footage with AI technology to narrate the inspiring journey of Cristina Galietto, a young classical guitarist from Naples, Italy. Her visit to China for a guitar exchange and tour began in Cixi City, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province—the historic starting point of the \"maritime ceramic road\" and the birthplace of imperial Mi-se porcelain, renowned as one of ancient China's finest celadons.
During her stay, Galietto discovered that celadon porcelain held a status akin to the classical guitar during the Renaissance—a court instrument. This revelation led to a groundbreaking collaboration where she performed a duet of the Neapolitan folk song \"O Sole Mio\" with musicians from the Celadon Ou Music Art Troupe. This duet marked the first-ever performance combining the classical guitar with Celadon Ou Music, blending Western and Eastern musical traditions in a harmonious showcase.
Thanks to China's 144-hour visa-free transit policy, Galietto embodies a modern-day Marco Polo, fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding through music. Her efforts not only celebrate shared heritage but also safeguard and pass on the rich cultural legacies of both Italy and China to future generations.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
