Razzannelli's two-decade Ningbo connection journey

Mario Razzannelli flips through his China Diary. [Photo/Yongpai app]

Mario Razzannelli, former Florence city councilor and honorary citizen of Ningbo, has spent over 20 years fostering cultural and business ties between Italy and China.

On Dec 21 in Florence, he carefully attached a handwritten proposal calling for a Ningbo Day in the city, adding a new page to his long-running China Diary. With over 68 trips since 2003, Razzannelli has meticulously recorded his experiences, meetings, and observations, capturing the evolving connection between the two cities.

His first visit to Ningbo coincided with the Ningbo Fashion Fair. Razzannelli was struck by Ningbo's modern skyline, well-developed fashion industry, and the warmth and dedication of its people. He later described the visit as a discovery of a whole new world, confirming that China was both accessible and welcoming.

Over the years, he facilitated Italian fashion brands setting up design centers in Ningbo and organized cultural exchanges. A landmark moment came in 2006 when Florence gifted a bronze replica of Michelangelo's David to Ningbo's Grand Theater Square, symbolizing the deepening friendship between the two cities.

This May, Razzannelli returned to Ningbo for the 2025 Maritime Silk Road Port Cooperation Forum, accompanied by his son, who has embraced his father's mission.

Razzannelli's decades of engagement reflect the enduring bond between Ningbo and Florence, demonstrating how personal dedication can bridge cultures and build lasting international relationships.