For Spring 2024, Rete Biblioteche del Comune di Venezia, the city's library network, has created a program specifically designed for its younger audience. From February till May "On the Trail of Marco Polo", an extraordinary calendar featuring 31 afternoon events, will come to life across the libraries of the Venetian area.
Inscribed into the celebrations of the 700th anniversary of the death of the famous Venetian merchant and traveller, the project will involve various locations, between the mainland, the historic centre of Venice and the islands: Vez Junior Library, Marghera Library, Zelarino Library, Bruno Bruni Library of Favaro Veneto, Bettini Junior Library of Venice, Library of Giudecca, Hugo Pratt Library in Lido, Cagnaccio Library in San Pietro in Volta, Burano Library and Murano Library.
"This way, we are enriching even further the offer of events and initiatives for the children of our city - declared City Councillor for Social Cohesion Simone Venturini - Through the figure of Marco Polo, they will have the opportunity to discover the world around us, near and far".
"After the Carnival dedicated to the extraordinary journey of Marco Polo, the cultural activities centred around the figure of our illustrious citizen continue - adds the president of the City's Culture Commission, Giorgia Pea - Through these initiatives, our city's library network targets children and their families, students and the youth, helping them to familiarize with an immense cultural heritage, updating it and interpreting it in a contemporary and innovative way".
Marco Polo, the famous Venetian merchant, dared to travel new paths: following in his footsteps, and in order to grow up, we venture into the world around us. "On the Trail of Marco Polo" offers a unique opportunity to creatively immerse yourself in the culture and suggestions experienced by Marco Polo on his long journey. Thanks to the precious collaboration with associations like Didatticando and Passacinese, the events offer workshops, readings and adventures aimed at all ages, to follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo and his adventures.
The adventure begins on February 7th at 5 pm in the Vez Junior Library with "Stories, travels and colours", reading aloud with a workshop on Marco Polo for children aged 5 to 7. The event will extend to all libraries with stories, challenges and colours, readings and workshops suitable for all ages.
For the little ones, "Travels, discoveries and adventures" will allow parents and children to experience sounds, smells and sensations with a soft reading designed just for them. "In the Footsteps of the Merchant" will offer an animated reading with a workshop in the footsteps of Marco Polo, involving older children in the discovery of the objects and products that the Venetian traveller brought back to his city. For an intriguing challenge, "On the Run on the Silk Road" will offer a workshop of Escape room-style puzzles and clues for children aged 8 to 12, retracing the journey along the Silk Road to return to Venice.
“Venice's library network has always been a priority for the Brugnaro Administration, the investments and daily commitment are bearing fruit and are being rewarded by the citizens - explains City Councillor Venturini - The numbers certify it: an increase of 11% of service opening hours, 59% increase in active users and 8% increase in loans compared to the pre-pandemic year. In our strengthening activity, we focused on places, as in the case of the renovation of some offices with new furnishings, in particular in the libraries of Bissuola and Favaro, on services, with the strengthening of many activities and exhibitions, such as this one dedicated to Marco Polo".
The Bibliobus has turned out to be a further successful experience, as it continues to incessantly travel the streets of the city districts with more and more dates, taking the travelling library to parks, to schools, to the most peripheral areas, enlivening reading with creative experiences and meeting many new citizens.
