On March 4th, the Sansovino Hall of the National Marciana Library in Venice hosted the conference "Serenissima Republic and Modern State: Conversations about Rights and Democracy." The event was organized by the Italian Office of the Council of Europe in Venice in collaboration with the Venice Commission, the Marciana Library, and the University of Padua.

The activity opened with introductory greetings from Stefano Trovato, Director of the National Marciana Library; Simona Granata-Menghini, Secretary and Director of the Venice Commission; and Mario Schwetz, Director of the Italian Office of the Council of Europe. The discussions unfolded across two sessions: "Ways and Means of Democracy" and " Protecting rights and doing justice”

First Panel seen the participation of Marta Cartabia, President of the Venice Commission; Kaarlo Heikki Tuori, Honorary President of the Venice Commission, and Venetian history expert Pier Alvise Zorzi. The second Panel  included contributions from Renzo Fogliata, former President of the Venice Criminal Chamber and Professors Stefania Gialdroni and Researcher Claudia Passarella from the University of Padua. Both panels were moderated by Theodoros Rousopoulos, former President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and member of the Venice Commission.

The conference offered compelling reflections by comparing the legacy of the Serenissima with the dynamics of the modern States. It highlighted how the Republic of Venice, in some ways, anticipated some sparks of modern concepts like democracy and protection of rights through an institutional system that was unique for its time. The speakers analyzed also the Venetian system of checks and balances.

The recording of the event is available at the following link.