Alain Lombard, commissioner general of French Culture Year in
China, announced at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday that
the special year of cultural exchange will begin on October 10.
During the year, 179 varied events and programs will be presented
to show Chinese audiences a new and creative France.
French President Jacques Chirac will be in China for opening
day, when artists from both countries will present a spectacular
variety show in the Forbidden City. The French aerobatics team
Patrouille de France in their Alpha jet twin-engine training and
attack aircraft will give a show and Zhengyang Gate will be
decorated in red, blue and white, representing the French national
flag.
The Groupe F pyrotechnics wizards, who were also responsible for
the fireworks at the opening and closing of the Athens
Olympics as well as those at the Barcelona Olympiad in 1992 and
the 1998 World Cup, will give shows in several major Chinese
cities.
At the end of April, Chinese gastronomes will have chance to
enjoy a picnic of French cuisine on the Great Wall.
Lombard said that a series of exhibitions will be held in
Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, Shenzhen
and Hong Kong to introduce French achievements in photography,
architecture and urban development.
French Culture Year will also include film festival as well as
lectures and symposia on law, literature, architecture and
technology.
Lombard stated that all the activities have been designed to
promote comprehensive exchanges and cooperation between
France and China.
Chinese Culture Year in France was held from October 2003 to
July 2004.
(China.org.cn, Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2004)
