The France-China Exchange Years end this weekend.
"My dream of appreciating an original Renoir painting came true
when the French impressionist painting show was held at the
National Art Museum of China last October," said Zhang Lin, an art
lover from Beijing.
Besides this art show, more than 300 French performances and
exhibitions have been held in the Year of France
in China from October 2004 to September 2005, bringing a
refreshed picture of French culture to the Chinese people.
With the year-long French cultural feast coming to the end, over
20 activities have been organized to wind up the Year of France in
China. Among them are Sophie Marceau's movie show from September 16
to 17 and the Summer Palace Mid-Autumn performance on Saturday
evening.
The Year of France in China was the second part of a
France-China cultural exchange initiative agreed on by the
presidents of the two countries.
The two-year long France-China Exchange Years are unprecedented
cultural events in both countries, said Meng Xiaosi, vice minister
of culture, at a concluding news conference on Friday. France is
the first country in the world to hold cultural exchanges with
China. Many countries now plan to hold cultural exchange programs
with China, said Meng.
On Friday, Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, French minister of
culture and communication, presented official medals to Meng and
Culture Minister Sun
Jiazheng for their contributions.
(China Daily September 17, 2005)