1. Premise
2024 will mark the 700th anniversary of the death of Marco Polo (1254-1324), probably the most famous Venetian in the world.
On April 13, 2023, the Venice City Council approved Council Resolution No. 73 establishing the "guidelines for the 700th anniversary of the death of Marco Polo (8 January 1324 / 8 January 2024)". In compliance with the guidelines approved by the aforementioned Council resolution, the Administration is planning numerous and diverse initiatives, together with many other leading cultural, economic and social entities in the area, being fully aware that these celebrations can be an opportunity for Venice, in the current geopolitical scenario, to exercise its "soft power" to foster confrontation between cities, peoples and nations, promoting the universal values of freedom, democracy, equality and mutual respect.
The challenge of such an ambitious project is to disseminate a more precise, historically grounded but also attractive and appealing knowledge of a historical figure who evokes highly topical issues: how to challenge new knowledge by dialoguing with different cultures without renouncing one's own specificities? How to unite culture and industriousness? How to manage relations between peoples and cities? With the support of the Italian Government and the National Committee chaired by the Mayor of Venice, the project aims to renew the knowledge about the figure of the Venetian merchant not only at a scientific but also at an educational level.
Venice will be the driving centre of the initiatives, but the aim is to extend them to an international audience, thanks to the collaboration with local, Italian, European and non-EU institutions. The intention is to celebrate one of the best-known Venetian personalities, focusing on the relationships of the character and his famous book "Il Milione", with the places (Venice, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Asia, the Indies, as far as Japan, although not visited, but only recounted) and the socio-economic and cultural context (the world of merchants, the institutions of the Yuan empire) in which he lived and worked.
The City Council, which promotes and coordinates the programme related to the celebrations, intends to flank the initiatives promoted directly and those prepared by stakeholders in the Venice area with other projects indicated by subjects operating within Italy or internationally.
Public and private stakeholders, who in various ways have historical ties to the figure of Marco Polo, and are interested in putting forward proposals to be included in the programme of events, are invited to submit their projects. What suggested will be part of a collective calendar that will be used as a tool for the promotion of activities and a communication platform addressed to an international audience, as wide as possible.
A Scientific Committee, appointed by the Mayor of Venice and comprising eminent personalities and representatives of public, academic, cultural, economic and social institutions, has been set up to examine the proposals submitted.
2. Proposing entity
Proposals for initiatives may be submitted by public bodies, public and private entities, associations, as recognised by national or regional legislation, as well as individual citizens with a general interest.
3. Object of the proposal
Initiatives and projects can start and take place from 8 January 2024 to 8 January 2025. They should be characterised as having historical and cultural ties with Marco Polo, in its local and global dimensions.
The typology of proposals may include both single celebratory events (e.g. concerts, public readings, conferences, etc.) and actions with a longer duration (e.g. temporary exhibitions, village festivals and celebrations, etc.). They may take place in the national territory as well as in other European and non-European countries, provided that the historical link with Marco Polo clearly emerges.
Proposals may also be of an intangible/virtual nature (e.g. video performances, web campaigns, thematic webinars, etc.) as long as they highlight the link between Marco Polo and the area in which the proposing entity operates and which it aims to enhance.
4. Procedure
Participation is free. Proposing entities must register by filling out the online registration form in all its parts indicated as compulsory. This notice will remain open for the duration of the celebrations, so proposals may be submitted throughout the entire period.
The form is available at the following link: http://www.leviedimarcopolo.it
The proposal must be clear, concise, exhaustive and accompanied by mandatory information related to:
- proposing entity
- partners involved, if any
- thematic area of reference
- type of initiative and description
- location and period of the event, with an explicit statement of the title legitimising the availability of the space to host the event
- budget and financing methods
- promotion and communication tools (social media, web and press communication, etc.)
- title of the event
- means of public admission (free, paid, subject to availability, discounts)
The proposals submitted will be examined by a Technical Secretariat and screened by the Scientific Committee in order to assess their feasibility and consistency with the objectives, aims and themes indicated in this Notice. The judgement of the Scientific Committee is unquestionable and incontrovertible; any possibility of appeal is therefore excluded.
The submission of the application form and of the files required by the online upload procedure implies full and tacit acceptance by the proposing entity of the information and conditions set out in this Notice.
5. Obligations
The Venice City Council will promote the positively evaluated initiatives through the communication channels currently being set up, starting with the institutional pages of the website and with other available communication channels.
No co-financing is envisaged for the proposed initiatives, nor support in other forms. In this regard, the proposing entities must expressly indicate how the costs will be covered, using the specific form referred to in Article 4.
All events must take place in compliance with all current rules and regulations. In particular, with regard to open-air events, set-ups must comply with current safety regulations and the regulations protecting the historical, artistic and natural heritage of the chosen location. It is hereby specified that the organisers shall be responsible for the organisational management, the relative charges of both economic and legal nature, the obtaining of all permits, licences, authorisations and approvals, issued by the competent Administrations and other Bodies, as well as for all direct and indirect responsibilities connected to the realisation of the initiatives that will be carried out, relieving the Administration from any form of responsibility, including the proper or improper use of movable or immovable property owned or in any case used for the event itself.
6. Use of the logo and promotion of the programme of events
In order to promote and recognise the official programme of events, authorised entities will be sent a special logo to be used on all communication materials of the initiatives in the programme of events.
7. Data processing
Personal data of the proposing entities will be processed by the City Administration, Vela SpA and the Scientific Committee and may be communicated to other partners for instrumental activities essential to the implementation of the activities related to this Notice. Without prejudice to the rights set out in Articles 15 et seq. of EU Regulation 2016/679.