Suzhou – the Chinese city famous all over the world for the quality of its silk and the particular weaving technology, twinned with Venice in 1980 – was the protagonist of a ceremony, promoted by the City of Venice and organized by the Confucius Institute at Ca' Foscari University of Venice.
Dances, movements, acrobatics, swords, fans twirling and then the propitiatory rites to awaken the dragon and the lion as a good omen for 2024, for it to be full of peace and serenity. The two cities located at the extremities of the ancient Silk Road united in the name of Marco Polo, to give life to an event included in the official calendar of the 700th anniversary of the death of the Venetian merchant and traveller, to whom also the Venice Carnival is dedicated.
Making an appearance on stage was the Chinese consulate general in Milan, City Councillor for the Promotion of the Territory Paola Mar, and Honorary Citizen of Suzhou Laura Fincato.
"We are celebrating a friendship that has lasted for 700 years, ever since Marco Polo left for a long journey to China, where he stayed for over 16 years - said Councillor Mar - The Year of the Dragon began only 4 days ago and we celebrated it together. I believe there could not be a better opportunity to strengthen the ties between our city and China, especially with these evocative ceremonies and performances on the stage of St. Mark's Square".
"I am happy to be in the most beautiful square in the world to celebrate, together with our Chinese friends, the great Venetian traveller Marco Polo, who had the courage to explore unknown lands - added Fincato - The Venice Carnival today unites us and tells us about a history of great civilisation. Our city has been twinned with Suzhou since 1980, and we want to continue with this relationship of friendship and solidarity for many, many more years".
Opening the event a parade of 22 traditional Chinese costumes, 13 of which are female and 9 are male. Through different fabrics and techniques, the Chinese people have shown the evolution of clothing over the last thousand years, from the Tang Dynasty to modern times. The dresses included both the elegant traditional suits with Suzhou silk elements and the striking new Song brocade costumes, all containing traditional and modern elements of Chinese culture. The design of these dresses is based on the natural aesthetics of the water city of Suzhou and combines local new weaving techniques famous in China.
Right after, the Weisong School performed the fan dance, which got the audience's attention and admiration. And then duels with swords, martial arts demonstrations, acrobatic and Tai Chi choreographies up to the propitiatory rites to awaken the Dragon, which was whirled over Piazza San Marco.
The dragon dance is a traditional Chinese dance performed especially during the celebrations of some holidays. The term "Wushu" means martial art, it was born in China and is the oldest martial art that gave rise to other martial disciplines. The dragon is created so that it can be moved by a group of people according to coordinated movements that mimic the sinuous ones of the mythical animal and translate into a real "dance" in which rectilinear movements are associated with circular paths.
