Welcome to the “Su e Zo per i Ponti di Venezia”: a unique event!
Su e Zo (“Up and Down the Bridges” walk) is a spring event that involves thousands of people in a walk for solidarity around Venice alleys: young and not-so-young people, families, school groups, sport teams, all together in a day devoted to meeting, friendship and solidarity.
Discovering Venice
Every year different itineraries twist and turn through the less known areas of the city on the water, also touching its most famous landmarks. A day of sustainable tourism, respecting the city we are in, its art, its history, its real soul and its essence.
The catch phrase: «One Million Discoveries!»
The Cultural Itinerary of the Up and Down the Bridges 2024 will be dedicated to Marco Polo, the greatest Venetian traveler, in the year that celebrates the 700th anniversary of his death, which took place in Venice on January 8, 1324. Marco Polo’s fame is mainly due to his long journey and sojourn in the East, especially in China. “Il Milione” (“The Million” or “The Book of Wonders”) is the account of this journey and represents the first important contribution to the mutual knowledge between West and East. “Il Milione” provides precise details on the uses, customs, geography and economy of peoples who were little known at the time. Marco Polo’s work influenced later explorers and formed a cultural bridge between two worlds, marking the beginning of a broader dialogue between East and West. Marco Polo’s legacy persists to this day, celebrated as a key figure in the history of exploration and intercultural relations.
The idea of discovering the art, history and millenary culture of the City of Venice has always been part of the “journey of discovery” at the centre of the cultural tourism proposal of the Su e Zo per i Ponti. For this reason, the slogan of Su e Zo 2024 is: “One million discoveries!”. And so it is that, with a nod to the work by Marco Polo, following his example we want to offer all participants a journey into the heart of Venice, in search of the true essence of this unique city in the world. A journey that follows the route indicated on the Map of the Su e Zo, punctuated by the different stages of the Cultural Itinerary of the Su and Zo, but also a journey that will make us wander together with Marco Polo in space and time, an experience that can become a real inner journey in search of oneself.
Solidarity
Any earnings coming from the “Up and Down the Bridges” walk have always been offered to organisations working in the educational or social fields, especially the schools of the local territory and the Salesian missions around the world.
In 2024 they will be given to the Salesian Missions of Holy Land.
Celebration
The “Up and Down the Bridges” walk is a real day of celebration: several folk groups put on their performance either in Saint Mark’s square or in the smaller open spaces along the itinerary, creating a jubilation of colours and sounds that leave happy memories in everyone.
The event is promoted by the associations: TGS Eurogroup – A.Ge.S.C. (Associazione Genitori Scuole Cattoliche) – C.T.G. (Centro Turistico Giovanile) – ExAllievi Don Bosco – F.I.S.M. (Federazione Italiana Scuole Materne) – N.O.I. Associazione (Nuovi Oratori Italiani) – Salesiani Cooperatori – Associazione San Francesco della Vigna – with Patronage by Italian Navy, Veneto Region, Metropolitan City of Venice, Venice City Council, North Adriatic Sea Port Authority – in collaboration with Venice City Council, Office for Events Planning & Management / Traditions Safeguarding and Office for Tourism Communication.
