Chongqing - On December 15, Paris time, the European Light Art Exhibition of Chinese Traditional Festival Culture "Chasing the Light—Pursuing the Dream—Witnessing China," made its second stop at the French Institute in Paris.

On December 15, the European Light Art Exhibition of Chinese Traditional Festival Culture, "Chasing the Light—Pursuing the Dream—Witnessing China," made its second stop at the French Institute in Paris. (Photo//The event organizer)

Liu Hongge, Director of the China Cultural Center in Paris, attended the opening ceremony and congratulated the exhibition on its successful launch in France. 

Zhang Yan, Deputy Director of the China National Arts Fund Management Center (CNAFMC), said, "2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations. This European exhibition, organized by the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute(SCFAI), showcases four major Chinese festivals: Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Lantern Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Festival. It serves as an artistic bridge connecting China's rich cultural heritage with the people of Europe."

Zhang Yan, Deputy Director of the China National Arts Fund Management Center (CNAFMC), attended the ceremony and delivered a congratulatory speech. (Photo/The event organizer)

"Looking ahead, the CNAFMC will continue to play an active role in facilitating global cultural exchange and mutual learning. We will further enhance our international communication capabilities, support outstanding cultural exchange projects, and create platforms for cooperation between Chinese and foreign cultural institutions. Our goal is to share the achievements of modern Chinese civilization with people worldwide," Zhang said.

Zhao Wei, an Associate Professor at SCFAI and project leader, introduced the exhibition: "The exhibition features works primarily created by Chinese artists, alongside collaborative pieces between Chinese and foreign artists and independent works by international artists. These pieces cleverly weave Chinese elegance and style into the fabric of European cities, offering visitors a stunning and immersive visual experience that showcases modern Chinese civilization. This allows foreign audiences to deeply understand China's rich festival culture regardless of cultural backgrounds."

"With the Spring Festival inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity this year, we aim to help international audiences better appreciate China's traditional culture. We want more people to experience and understand the festive atmosphere of Chinese traditional celebrations," added Zhao. 

The organizers gave each visitor a classical Chinese-style lantern to foster a deeper cultural connection. Many French children joyfully walked around with their lanterns while some adults took photos with them. "In this intimate setting, we successfully conveyed the warm and festive ambiance of Chinese traditions," Zhao shared.

Zhang Jie, Vice Chairman of the Chongqing Artists Association and Ph.D. supervisor at SCFAI, delivered the speech. (Photo/The event organizer)

The exhibition is a high-caliber international art event designed to build a cultural bridge between Chinese traditions and European audiences through innovative media and communication methods. Its objective is to elevate Chinese culture's international presence, expand its overseas influence, and present a dynamic and multifaceted narrative of China's story. 

Tang Qingyang, Party Secretary of SCFAI, and Jiao Xingtao, President of SCFAI, both delivered online speeches. Also attending the opening ceremony and delivering speeches were Zhang Jie, Vice Chairman of the Chongqing Artists Association and Ph.D. supervisor at Sichuan Fine Arts Institute; Li Ziwei, Vice President of the Panyu Fushan Society in France, Member of the French National Experts Association, Curator of Paris A2Z Gallery; Léo Ren, Vice President of the China-French Art Exchange Association; Jean-Pascle Lanui, recipient of Knight of France's Order of Arts and Letters; and He Meilin, President of the Paris Eight Universities Federation.

Guided by the CNAFMC, SCFAI organizes the exhibition, which is jointly implemented with institutions such as Jilin University, Shanghai University, Liaoning University's Institute of Calligraphy and Painting, International Communication Development Center of China International Communications Group, Cultural Heritage Communication Committee of the China Cultural Relics Society, Western China International Communication Center, and Chongqing Art Creation Center.