Source: People's Daily Overseas Edition
At the opening ceremony of the exhibition "Jiazi Love: Stories of Chinese and French People" held in Paris, France, French painter Pierre Cornier showed his "Chinese style" French picture book. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Baihui
A visitor visits the exhibition "Jiazi Love: Stories of Chinese and French People" held in Paris, France. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Baihui
A few days ago, the "Jiazi Deep Love - Chinese and French People's Stories Exhibition" was held in Paris. Organized by the European Times, the exhibition is presented through a combination of physical objects, photographs and video and audio. From the perspective of the people, the exhibits vividly tell the true story of the exchanges and cultural mutual learning between the people of China and France over the past 60 years, reflecting the folk memory and deep emotions of Sino-French friendship.
A red flag:
Witness the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. Through the real life and personal experience of ordinary people, the exhibition tells the friendship between the two peoples, and reflects the sincere feelings accumulated by the Chinese and French people over the past 60 years. The exhibited objects cover the period from the early 60s of the 20th century to the present day, when diplomatic relations between China and France were established, and the stories behind the objects are conveyed to the audience through words and pictures. Some of the exhibits are on display in the form of videos, in which the providers themselves recount the unforgettable memories of traveling between the two countries.
At the opening ceremony of the exhibition, the sound of traditional Chinese guqin and pipa played by artists in France resounded at the European Times Cultural Center, attracting many Chinese and French audiences participating in the exhibition.
Zhong Cheng, President of the European Times Culture and Media Group and President of the European Times, said in his speech at the opening ceremony that there are countless stories of friendly people-to-people exchanges between China and France. Friendship and goodwill, respect and appreciation are deeply rooted in the hearts of the people of the two countries.
Wang Hua, the first interpreter of the Chinese Embassy in France, Chen Wenxiong, former chairman of the France-China Friendship Group of the French National Assembly and former member of the National Assembly, and Chen Li, Minister of the Chinese Embassy in France, delivered speeches, telling the story of China-France friendship in their eyes and expressing their blessings for the development and continuation of China-France friendship in the future. Wan Lei, Counsellor of the Consular and Overseas Chinese Section of the Chinese Embassy in France, attended the visit.
As a direct witness of Sino-French friendship, more than 30 overseas Chinese leaders in France came to visit the "Sino-French People's Story Exhibition". Zhang Bishan, a member of the Chinese Embassy in France and one of the founders of the French Overseas Chinese Association, is over 93 years old, and he vividly introduced the scene at that time.
Among the exhibits on display this time, a bright five-star red flag is particularly eye-catching. This is the Chinese flag on the car of Huang Zhenche, China's first ambassador to France, when China and France established diplomatic relations in 1964. This 60-year-old national flag has witnessed the historic moment of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. Due to the long-term folding treasure, the flag leaves several creases. Wang Hua said that in this exhibition, he took out this long-cherished national flag to participate in the exhibition, hoping that more people can understand the process of deepening Sino-French friendship over the past 60 years.
A notebook:
Documenting cultural heritage
The second exhibit provided by Wang Hua is an enamel tea jar with a handle, and the body of the cup is printed with a few small orange-red flowers, with a "sense of age" in the early days of the founding of New China. This is a teacup commonly used by Chinese people in the 50s of the 20th century, and it also accompanies him day and night when he works at the Chinese Embassy in France. "When my French friend saw the cup, he offered to give me an enamel cup with the French flag on it, and the two cups made a pair. Wang Hua said. Although the cup is just a common small item in the family, it contains the story of ordinary family exchanges between China and France, witnessing the friendship between the people of the two countries.
There are also a number of exhibits that tell the audience the struggle of overseas Chinese in France to start a new business in France, as well as the stories of Chinese young people learning to inherit Chinese culture. Cai Junzhu, chairman of the French Overseas Chinese Association, donated a sewing machine as an exhibit, which was his first tool when he started his business in France in 1998. When he first arrived in France, Cai Junzhu spent three months learning to refine his sewing skills, and then opened a garment factory. Cai Junzhu inherited the industrious virtues of the Chinese nation, gave full play to his talents, and his career flourished in the context of increasingly close Sino-French relations. Cai Junzhu's experience is a true portrayal of generations of overseas Chinese in France who have taken root and grown up in France.
Cai Lisheng, president of the French Chinese Youth Association, believes that Chinese is a valuable asset for overseas Chinese in France. He donated the notebook he used to learn Chinese when he was a child to participate in the exhibition, and through this notebook full of childhood memories, he showed the journey of overseas Chinese youth in France shuttling between two cultures. He said: "This notebook records the love of the French diaspora like me for Chinese and Chinese culture, and expresses our desire to serve as a bridge to promote cultural exchanges between China and France." ”
"When I was a child, my grandfather taught me Chinese characters and idioms, which recorded the close cultural ties between our generation of French overseas Chinese and their ancestral (home) country. I hope these stories resonate with my peers. No matter how well they master Chinese now, the connection between overseas Chinese and Chinese will not disappear, and it will never be too late to learn Chinese at any time. Cai Lisheng said.
A piece of sincerity:
Continuing the chapter of friendship
The vivid "people's stories" brought emotional resonance to the visitors from China and France. "For some time, I have often felt a feeling that China and France are far apart, but the hearts of the two peoples are close. Two countries and two peoples, after that far-sighted mutual recognition 60 years ago, have produced so many unforgettable and moving stories. Zhong Cheng said.
From the preparation to the opening, the "Chinese and French People's Stories Exhibition" has received support from people from all walks of life in China and France. After the exhibition, the organizers continue to receive donations from exhibitors, and they plan to present these precious memories in the form of albums in the future.
The "Chinese and French People's Stories Exhibition" tells the story of people-to-people exchanges and shortens the distance with visitors. By understanding the real experiences of the people of both countries, the audience can deeply appreciate the warmth and power conveyed by these stories that transcend time, space and borders. "Behind each exhibit is a real story between China and France. Through these exhibits, visitors can truly understand the experiences of others and understand the vivid personal experience of Sino-French relations. I think that in this way, the audience can feel the deep friendship between the two peoples in detail. Cai Lisheng said.
Sun Chengdong, president of the Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce in France, said that he had proposed in exchanges with other overseas Chinese leaders that more Chinese and overseas Chinese should be allowed to visit this exhibition, so that they can understand this history and understand that the friendship between China and France is hard-won and lasting. The younger generation of overseas Chinese in France has a long way to go, and they should shoulder the mission and responsibility of inheriting friendship and be the "little envoys" of Sino-French friendship.
Ordinary objects tell one vivid story after another, and even more wonderful stories are being written by the people of both countries. Sun Chengdong said: "People are close to each other and have a common heart, and I believe that this exhibition that embodies the friendship between the Chinese and French people can bring beautiful and precious memories to everyone." The friendship between China and France is opening the next Jiazi era, and all overseas Chinese in France are looking forward to the everlasting friendship between China and France. (Xu Lingyuan, Wang Cong)
People's Daily Overseas Edition (2024-04-24 Edition 06)