Livio Zanini

Livio Zanini is an Associate Professor in the Department of Asian and North African Studies at Ca' Foscari University of Venice. He specializes in the Languages and Literatures of China and Southeast Asia and is actively involved in both research and teaching. He is also affiliated with the Interdepartmental Center 'SELISI' in Treviso, focusing on Economics, Languages, and Entrepreneurship for International Exchanges.

His research interests include Chinese cultural history, particularly of the Ming and Qing dynasties, with a focus on tea culture, literary gatherings, material culture (penjing), and intercultural exchanges. He analyzes historical texts, literary compilations, and visual sources to understand the socio-cultural dynamics of pre-modern China. His work bridges sinology, art history, and socio-economic studies.

Zanini’s recent publications reveal a consistent thematic trajectory centered on tea, literature, and cultural practices in late imperial China. His articles span journals such as Ming Studies, Ming Qing Yanjiu, and On the Road to Catai, demonstrating expertise in both primary textual analysis and interdisciplinary cultural interpretation. He also explores the global reception of Chinese culture, particularly how tea was perceived in early European sources.

He teaches courses in Chinese language for business negotiation and consecutive interpretation from Chinese to Italian at both undergraduate and graduate levels. His teaching reflects a strong applied focus, integrating linguistic proficiency with cultural and economic contexts.

Zanini is currently active in research and teaching, with publications up to 2024. He holds office hours both in person in Venice and online via Zoom. No scientific awards or fellowships are mentioned in the available texts.