A Journey to Florence, Italy: Bolstering International Exchange Along the Belt and Road with Creativity

—Ningbo,Setting Sail to Embrace the World,an Extensive Global Cross-Media Journalism Campaign

NINGBO,China,April 21,2022 -- A news report from NBGD:

Ningbo and Italy's Florence share a long friendship marked by their exchange of public sculptures. As part of Ningbo,an extensive global cross-media journalism campaign of 2022,we interviewed prominent citizens of Florence working in creative design,industry,fashion,digital media,and art to hear their views on the two cities' ties.

Florence CityCouncillor Mario Razzanelli is an Honorary Citizen of Ningbo. Having visited China more than 60 times over the past 19 years,Razzanelli is a witness to the tremendous changes that took place in China,especially in the city of Ningbo. He pointed out that Ningbo harbors great potential as a "Capital of Modern Coastal Charm" and that it was thanks to his Ningbo friends that he discovered more about China.

Luigi Salvadori,Chairman of Ente Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze and Former President of Confindustria Florence,acknowledged that "Ningbo is a truly beautiful and unique city". Currently,there are over 200 Italian investment projects in Ningbo,including many that represent emerging industries.

Raffaello Napoleone,Chief Executive of Pitti Immagine,said,"Ningbo's fashion industry is very important for both China and Italy. As we focus on exploring more creativity in men's fashion,we want to find partners in Ningbo who can supply us with a consistent flow of new design ideas."

Given that many museums are temporarily closed due to COVID-19,Stefano Casciu,Director of Tuscany's Museums,maintained that it is imperative to develop new forms of cultural tourism so that the public could continue to enjoy what museums have to offer.

Last September,Casciu took Ningbo citizens on a fascinating virtual journey through Florentine museums in an online livestreaming event. According to Casciu,"going forward,we should continue to organize such activities. It is beneficial for our two cities to explore new forms of virtual contact through the use of digital technologies".

Similarly,Cristina Acidini,President of Florence'sDrawing Academy and President of the Casa Buonarroti Foundation,called on cities to reconsider how art could be used to facilitate more remote dialogue.