MADAGASCAR DAYS 2015
Marco Polo’s island

June 12 – 13, 2015
Venice, Natural History Museum
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Separated from Africa tens of millions of years ago, Madagascar has since developed its own unusual fauna and flora that are drastically different to those of the other continental masses, both near and far.

Similarly, the colonisation by man, which has taken place on a widespread scale only in the past 2,000 years, has seen the mixture of African, Asian, Arab and European elements, forming a culture of “metissage” comprising no less than 18 ethnic groups, each with its own history and traditions but all sharing a basic language of Indonesian origin and a cult of the dead, called “famadihana”.

Unfortunately, Madagascar is also a land of strong contrasts, with widespread social and economic problems. The two days-long event, which focuses on aspects concerning the natural wealth and cultural diversity of this island, includes the presence of researchers studying biodiversity and health operatives who will explain how Italy is involved in helping in this country.

In collaboration with the Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali of Turin and the Associazione “Malagasy Miray”.

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With the patronage of the Republic of Madagascar

In cooperation with:
Circuito Cinema Venezia – Comune di Venezia
Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali di Torino Regione Piemonte