Changzhou's "Grand Canal Meets Seine River" Cultural Exchange Event Arrives in France
May 27 2024 - 9:11AM
Changzhou's "Grand Canal Meets Seine River" Cultural Exchange Event
Arrives in France
In mid-May, the Changzhou "Grand Canal Meets Seine River" cultural
exchange event series arrived in France. The event, organized by
the Information Office of Changzhou Municipal People's
Government, featured an exhibition of Eastern aesthetics, a
visit to Yi Li Garden - the first Chinese garden in France, a
cruise on the Seine River, and a stop at the Fontainebleau Palace
square. Over 500 friends from various sectors of French society
enjoyed an intimate encounter with the Chinese city of Changzhou.
A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is
available by clicking the link below.
Sightsee Urban Charm
The event featured live city presentations by
Changzhou leaders, a city image video in French, introductions to
the city via ancient books, and various visual displays, including
Jintan paper cuttings and sand art scrolls themed "Grand Canal
Meets Seine River". Gilles-Henri Garault, vice chairman of the
Society for the Encouragement of National Industry and chairman of
the International Committee of France, and Saint-Remy Mayor
Bouchard took on the role of cultural ambassadors, hoping to
achieve mutual prosperity through the deepening friendship between
both sides.
Listen to Melodies of Jiangnan
In elegant concert halls, lively boats, beautiful
gardens, and picturesque squares, Jiangnan string and woodwind
musicians performed famous pieces like "High Mountain and Flowing
Water" and "Blue-and-White Porcelain". They took the audience
on a time-traveling journey to experience the charm of Jiangnan's
water towns. During the event, they also collaborated with Philip
Bride, the chief violinist and the President of the National Higher
Institute of Marseille, to perform "Red Rose and White
Jasmine", creating a symphony of French romance and Oriental
elegance.
Breathe in Fragrance of Traditional Chinese
Medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine exudes a pleasant
fragrance from Changzhou's intangible cultural heritage random
stitch embroidery sachets, known for their soothing and
stress-relieving effects. These sachets, symbolizing wishes for
peace and health, are highly sought after and in short supply. They
offered a unique olfactory experience to friends from France, known
as the "world's perfume capital".
Taste Jiangnan Cuisine
The tea art performance showcased over ten
intricate steps, including washing tea, brewing, smelling the
aroma, and tasting. Culinary highlights featured the meticulous
knife skills of the blindfolded Wensi tofu cutting, the fine dragon
beard noodles, lifelike food carvings, fragrant Changzhou radish
fried rice, and unforgettable crab roe buns. Guests like Roger
Serbag, secretary general for State and International Cooperation
at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mahieta Bounshev,
chair of UNESCO's affiliated associations, praised the culinary
delights.
Experience Traditional Crafts
The demonstration of woodblock printing sparked an
interactive frenzy, with everyone eager to try printing their
favorite patterns. A long queue formed in front of the Menghe
Medical School inheritors, and after experiencing the magical
acupuncture, French friends, including Marie François, deputy mayor
of Fontainebleau-Samois, marveled at Changzhou's traditional
crafts.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, as
well as the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism. The flowing
Seine and the Grand Canal bear witness to another encounter,
fusion, and mutual understanding between the two countries.
Source: Information Office of Changzhou Municipal
People's Government