October 2021, Naples, Italy.
On this day, jewelry merchant Marco changed into a casual suit and stood in front of the coral shell sculpture exhibition hall at the intersection of the "Naples-Pompeii Expressway", preparing to welcome a group of American tourists. For the first time since the first half of last year, there were overseas tourists coming to Naples, and Marco was a little uneasy inside.
But what makes Marco even more unpeaceful is not this group of American tourists. He was particularly concerned about China, thousands of miles away: the fourth China International Import Expo was about to start, but because he had not booked a suitable ticket, he finally decided to abandon the trip.
"No matter how difficult it is, we must come to China"
During the third CIIE, a piece of news repeatedly made media headlines: Marco, the fourth-generation heir of the Russo Cammei family, one of the ancient families in the Shell Sculpture Industry in Naples, Italy, and his old partner Zilo, departed from Naples, took London, came to Shanghai, and after 14 days of concentrated health isolation and observation, finally arrived in Shanghai as they wished.
"No matter how difficult it is, we must come to China." Marco and Zilo spoke in unison. Because of the epidemic, the number of visitors to the third CIIE was affected to a certain extent, but for 6 days, their booths have been surrounded by water, and the media and audiences have competed to meet and communicate with the two "Marco Polo of the Jewelry Industry". Many partners also came and agreed on follow-up business plans.
At the Third Ciietta Expo, the Neapolitan jewelry craftsman Quirrell designed shell carvings specifically to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Italy. (File photo by Haishar)
After the end of the third EXPO, while the iron was hot, they went to Shenzhen, Haikou and Sanya to further expand their influence in these cities with the most proud shell carving products.
Before Christmas 2020, with unforgettable memories of entering the Expo, the two returned to Italy. "The two-month experience in China has allowed us to further confirm the value of this oriental market." Marco said.
The entire family was full of expectations and had no choice but to stop at the flight
By 2021, Marco and his family business began to plan early for the fourth CIIE. Marco applied for two booths in advance from the Italian Foreign Trade Council, intending to bring two master shell carving masters, the old partner Zilo and Zilo's brother, to show the Chinese audience the art of shell carving, a precious cultural heritage of southern Italy.
All members of the family business also set November and December as "China time" early this year. Everyone unanimously decided to give up their August leave and work overtime to rush to work in order to ship the fourth CIIE as soon as possible; instead, Marco and Zilo were allowed to rest for two weeks and spend a vacation with a small family. Because everyone thinks that in the next two months, Marco and Zilo will shoulder the hopes of the whole family, away from home and loved ones.
However, the difficulties in front of them are far more than last fall: "more than two turns are not allowed" "The latest epidemic quarantine policy is '14+7'..." The news came one after another, and even so, Marco still did not give up.
"It's like a computer game clearance, but I'm not going to back down." At the beginning of October, after receiving the invitation letter for the Expo, they immediately prepared for a visa to Rome. But at the same time, they found that there were no suitable flights to Shanghai in europe, and the price of an economy class ticket connecting from Copenhagen was as high as 7,000 euros, which small and medium-sized enterprises could not afford.
"My family and I really overcame a lot of difficulties, even the luggage was ready, but we couldn't board the flight to Shanghai, which is very regrettable." Marco said.
The exhibits will arrive as scheduled and will be extended in the city center after the Expo
Fortunately, due to the two-handed preparation in advance, the More than 400 pieces of shell carving jewelry of the Luso family have been sent from Naples early and will arrive as scheduled in these few days. The goods are produced entirely by hand, and even the metal parts on them are handmade by a team of fittings led by Marco's father, including the whole process of pipe pulling, cutting, wrapping and grinding.
The craftsmen of the Luso family are in the shell carving workshop in Naples, stepping up the production of shell carving works for the fourth CIIE. (Courtesy of interviewees)
Gong Lifeng, a partner of the Luso family and an exhibitor of the fourth CIIE group, told reporters that these goods will be displayed at the Russo Cammei booth in the "Excellent Italian Jewelry" exhibition hall of the Jewelry Pavilion in Hall 6.2 during the Fourth CIIE. Meanwhile, every afternoon from November 6 to 8, video links will be arranged at the booth to allow Marco and Zilo to "immerse themselves" in the event from as far away as Naples. At that time, the audience can not only greet the two old friends online, but also see the busy figure of the Neapolitan craftsmen in the shell carving workshop.
It is also reported that at the fourth expo, the Italian Foreign Trade Commission ITA also convened 16 jewelers to continue to participate in the exhibition. After the end of the exhibition, Vitifa Jewelry also contacted the Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone to make a bonded display of all the exhibits in shanghai, including more than 400 pieces of shell carving jewelry of the Luso family, thousands of Pieces of Italian jewelry will be extended in the Vitifa Jewelry Exhibition Hall located on Hengshan Road, and the residual heat of the Expo will continue in the winter in Shanghai.
Column Editor-in-Chief: Wu Weiqun Text Editor: Wu Weiqun
Source: Author: Wu Weiqun