On January 11, 2025, to celebrate the successful application of the Spring Festival for the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, the “Happy Spring Festival” series of activities “Longquan in the World · “Song Dynasty Yun Celadon Works Exhibition” was held at the Charles Fourier Museum in Remiremont, France. The event was jointly organized by the Chinese Cultural Center in Paris, the People’s Government of Longquan City and the Remiremont City Government. More than 100 guests attended the meeting, including Pan Yumin, Consul General of China in Strasbourg, Liu Hongge, Director of the Chinese Cultural Center in Paris, Jean-Anglers, French Senator, Jean-Benoit Tissard, Mayor of Remiremont, Anne-Duluc, Deputy Mayor in charge of cultural affairs, Estelle-Irouse-Valentin, Director of Culture, Sports and Community Affairs, Aurelien-Vacheret, and Director of the Charles Fourier Museum.
Guests attended the opening ceremony of the “Longquan Under Heaven · Celadon Works Exhibition of Song Dynasty Rhyme” (from left to right: Pan Yumin, Consul General of China in Strasbourg; Jean – Benoît Tisserand, Mayor of Remiremont; Jean – Ann Anglès, Senator; Aurélien Vacheret, Director of the Charles Fourier Museum; Liu Hongge, Director of the Paris Chinese Cultural Center). Photo provided by the organizer.
Jean – Ann Anglès said at the opening ceremony that the friendship between China and France requires continuous efforts to deepen, just as the tradition advocated by General de Gaulle and the spirit always upheld by his followers. He highly commended the cooperation between Remiremont and the Chinese Cultural Center, which helps local people have a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and promotes friendly cooperation between the two countries. He looks forward to hosting more Chinese cultural and artistic projects in the city for exchanges in the future.
Jean – Benoît Tisserand especially thanked Longquan City of China and the Paris Chinese Cultural Center for bringing the fine celadon artworks in his speech. He evaluated these works as exquisite, demonstrating the profound heritage of Chinese culture. This exhibition not only symbolizes the significance of cultural openness but also reflects the city’s expectation for cooperation with China. He sincerely thanked the Chinese side for its efforts in carrying out cultural exchange activities with local areas in France and looked forward to the long – lasting continuation of France – China friendship and the promotion of more extensive cultural and artistic cooperation.
Pan Yumin congratulated on the opening of the event and extended best wishes for the Spring Festival to the local people in his speech. Pan Yumin said that the exhibition of celadon, one of China’s cultural business cards, in Remiremont is of far – reaching significance. The celadon works of Song Dynasty rhyme on display were all created by modern Longquan artists, providing an important platform for Sino – French cultural exchanges and art appreciation, and also symbolizing the profound friendship between China and France on the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Liu Hongge said in his speech that holding this exhibition in cooperation with Remiremont on the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France and on the eve of the Lunar New Year of the Snake is of great significance. The “Longquan Under Heaven – Celadon Works Exhibition of Song Dynasty Rhyme” is the first exhibition in France. This exhibition selects 45 fine Longquan celadon works, covering classic imitated utensils, artistic celadon, and modern daily – use celadon. These works not only inherit the thousand – year – old porcelain – making skills but also embody the thinking and innovation achievements of contemporary craftsmen. With its implicit and reserved posture, Longquan celadon shows the wisdom and aesthetic concept of “harmony without uniformity” in Chinese culture. It is hoped that through this exhibition, more French friends can feel the artistic value of celadon works and the unique charm of outstanding traditional Chinese culture, and build a bridge for the spiritual connection between the Chinese and French people.
At the opening ceremony, guests from Remiremont, surrounding cities, and those who came specially from Paris wandered around the elegant exhibition hall, carefully appreciating the 45 selected celadon masterpieces carefully selected and exhibited by the center. It was as if they had traveled through time and merged with the ancient rhyme. The exhibition hall was crowded with people eager to see the beautiful style of celadon, and the delicate craftsmanship deeply shocked the French guests present. There were also a tea – culture experience corner, a guqin and pipa demonstration corner set up on – site. Many guests stopped to taste tea and listen to the music, experiencing Chinese elegant culture up close and resonating with the charm of celadon. Staff from the Paris Chinese Cultural Center also brought the mascot of the Year of the Snake, and the exhibition hall was filled with the festive atmosphere of the Joyous Spring Festival.
