Venice (AFP)

The decor is majestic: below the Rialto Bridge spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, standing in front of his glowing oven perched on a boat, Maestro Matteo Tagliapietra blows glass, a magical show intended to promote the production of Murano.

Even if this centuries-old brand known throughout the world is highlighted by the multitude of souvenir shops punctuating the alleys of the Serenissima, "70% of glass objects are not produced in Venice", notes Luciano Gambaro not without bitterness, president of the Association for the Promotion of Murano Glass, in an interview with AFP.

It is to counter this phenomenon that the Veneto region is organizing for the 4th consecutive year the "Venice Glass Week" (www.theveniceglassweek.com/en/), punctuated by a series of events to raise awareness among tourists and lovers of the City of the Doges with the history and production of "real" Murano glass, the small island in the lagoon where the workshops that have made this art craft famous are concentrated.

It is a way of "putting a spotlight on what Murano represents", explains Luciano Gambaro by showing his family business, a cave of Ali Baba whose heart is the oven room, kingdom of his partner, the master. glassmaker Matteo Tagliapietra.

In black shorts and white socks, the latter makes meticulous movements with his cane to shape a vase.

"The methods have been the same for centuries. At the time of the Serenissima, master glassmakers were superstars," he underlines with a smile between two manipulations.

"Today, we are doing less and less mass production, in favor of tailor-made orders."

"We are thus going back to the origins of Murano glass, using all our creative potential. Murano must continue to evolve, change and adapt, that's the future. Those who are content to do what they want. has done all his life has no future, "he said.

It is to highlight this state of mind that the glassmakers have decided to leave their island to meet their clients and make their work known.

"If the mountain does not go to Mahomet, Mahomet goes to the mountain", synthesizes Matteo.

- "City of glass" -

Among the many initiatives in the sector, an exhibition near the famous Academy museum brings together works by artists under 35 years old.

Each evening, the 14-meter boat carrying a glass furnace offers glass-making demonstrations in iconic locations across the city.

In order to fight against counterfeits imported in particular from Asia, the Veneto region also created a registered trademark in 1994, "Artistic glass of Murano", certifying that products bearing this logo with an identification code are produced on the island.

The dramatic drop in the number of tourists caused by the November floods and then the coronavirus crisis severely affected local trade.

"Our sector is undoubtedly suffering, especially those who live exclusively from the local market, they are in a bad situation, but the international market is starting to pick up again", notes Luciano Gambaro.

Far from the imported junk sold for a few euros, some important Murano pieces can reach tens of thousands of euros.

"Our history spans more than eight centuries and has never been interrupted, even if we have already known crises (...) Our works are present from Versailles to Saint Petersburg via Madrid", recalls- he proudly.

It was in fact in 1291 that the Serene had ordered the transfer to Murano of all the glassworks installed in the old town, responsible for terrible fires.

And it is undoubtedly this notoriety that can serve as a lifeline for these high-flying craftsmen, as evidenced by the enthusiasm of tourists who came to the small island on purpose.

"We always come to Murano when we come to Venice: Venice is the city of glass!"

exclaims Anouk Deull, a Genevan fallen in admiration in front of an art gallery where multicolored works shimmer under the sun.

© 2020 AFP