Marco Polo’s legacy is not only a historical curiosity but a living paradigm of cultural diplomacy. His journey to China, meticulously documented in Il Milione (c.1300), represents one of the earliest and most influential accounts of intercultural exchange. As I explored in The Billion (2024), my book on Marco Polo curated in collaboration with Maestro Sandro Pazzi, his experiences offer valuable lessons on diplomacy beyond state actors: fostering dialogue, understanding, and intellectual synergy between civilisations.

This keynote will examine Marco Polo’s role as a cultural intermediary, reflecting on how his narratives particularly shaped Western perceptions of China and vice versa. His encounters with Kublai Khan and his adaptation to the Yuan court demonstrate the power of cultural diplomacy as a form of mutual enrichment, rather than unilateral influence.

Today, in a world increasingly defined by soft power, global cultural exchanges, and digital connectivity, we must ask: what can we learn from Marco Polo’s method of engagement, storytelling, and cross-cultural curiosity? This presentation will link historical lessons to contemporary diplomacy, discussing how Italy and China can leverage their cultural heritage, education, and arts as tools for mutual understanding. In an era of growing geopolitical tensions, Marco Polo’s approach reminds us that diplomacy does not only happen in embassies, but also in the realm of cultural exchange, knowledge, and human curiosity.

Speaker Biography

Paolo Sabbatini

Professor Paolo Sabbatini is currently Ambassador for Cultural Communications between Italy and China at the World Sinology Center, China. He is also an emeritus senior member of the Italian Foreign Service and an International Spokesperson for Public and Cultural Diplomacy, interacting with entities such as the European Union and the United Nations. As such, he teaches how to incorporate diplomacy and international relations in every field of culture and economics. Ambassador Sabbatini is a member of several academic institutions, among which the Academy of Fine Arts in Perugia, Italy; ECPD/UPeace University established by the United Nations in Belgrade, Serbia; and several Chinese universities.

About the Presenter(s)
-Professor Paolo Sabbatini is currently Ambassador for Cultural Communications between Italy and China at the World Sinology Center, China.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Tuesday Schedule

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