Razzannelli bridges Florence and Ningbo

[Video/Yongpai app]

The decades-long friendship between Florence and Ningbo is vividly captured through the life and works of Mario Razzannelli.

Razzannelli, former Florence city councilor and past president of the Florence Men's Fashion Association, has devoted more than 20 years to building cultural bridges with the coastal Chinese city of Ningbo. He recently proposed establishing Oct 21 as "Ningbo Day" in Florence, a date marking the installation of a replica of Michelangelo's David in Ningbo 19 years ago, a project he personally helped bring to life.

Razzannelli first visited Ningbo in 2003 for the International Fashion Fair. Captivated by the city, he vowed to introduce Florence to Ningbo. Over the years, he has guided a series of cultural exchanges: bringing David to Ningbo in 2006, helping the cities become official sister cities in 2008, and coordinating the gifting of a Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) stone carving from Ningbo to Florence. The opening of the China-Italy Industrial Park in 2014 further strengthened the connection.

Recognized as an honorary citizen of Ningbo, Razzannelli has meticulously chronicled his journey across dozens of notebooks — his diaries about China. Filled with tickets, visas, business cards, and personal reflections, these notebooks capture 22 years of friendship, cultural exchange, and the enduring bond he has helped forge between Florence and Ningbo.

Watch this bilingual short film to learn more about Razzannelli's story and his lifelong bond with Ningbo.