On April 8, 2025, the 19th “China-France Cultural Spring” press conference was successfully held in Beijing, marking the official commencement of this grand cultural exchange event between China and France. The French Ambassador to China, Alain Buzyn, and
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to China,
Pierre Guillaume attended the press conference. Chinese renowned actor Shen Teng, serving as the promotional ambassador for this edition, added star power and anticipation to the event.
Alain Buzyn stated, “This year’s ‘China-France Cultural Spring’ is not just an artistic feast but also focuses on global issues. The opening performance ‘The Mysterious Island’ echoes the theme of marine conservation, reflecting the care for reality articulated through its artistic expression. As a significant event marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, we hope to deepen friendships between the two countries through cultural dialogue and promote people-to-people exchanges.”
At the press conference, Shen Teng, as the promotional ambassador, shared his thoughts: “France is one of the birthplaces of comedy, and we hope that through this cultural exchange, humor and the charm of art can be shared with more people. With profound cultural heritage, we look forward to seeing sparks fly between artists from both countries during the event, allowing audiences to appreciate the splendor of diverse cultures.”
The event features a variety of highlights, covering a wide range of arts. This edition of “China-France Cultural Spring” is themed “Crossover, Innovation, and Integration,” gathering top French artistic resources to present a feast of visual art, stage art, music, film, photography, and immersive experiences.
The opening gala “The Mysterious Island”
: In response to the third United Nations Ocean Conference to be held in Nice, France in June, the opening performance chooses to adapt from Jules Verne’s classic play “The Mysterious Island.” Created by Christian Ecque and Valérie Lessolles, the show combines comedic plots with black light puppetry technology, stimulating thought about marine conservation through fantastical storytelling.
Underwater Journey: A Rehearsal Scene
Photo Source: France Culture
The Art Treasures of the Musée d’Orsay in Paris: This exhibition is a result of the collaboration between the Musée d’Orsay and the Pudong Art Museum, presenting a grand canvas of French art from 1848 to 1914. The exhibition will showcase over one hundred masterpieces created by more than fifty artists including Corot, Manet, Monet, Gauguin, Van Gogh, and Bonnard.
Reshaping Landscapes: The West Bank Museum and the Centre Pompidou have collaborated on a permanent exhibition for five years, relying on the collection of the Centre Pompidou to delve into the evolution of landscape representation from the Impressionist period to Cubism, and then to contemporary art. The exhibition presents artists’ diverse interpretations of nature and urban environments, highlighting their unique perspectives and depicting the transformation process that has become an important social and environmental issue through art.
The French National Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Opera House Orchestra of Versailles Palace will embark on a China tour, performing classic French melodies; choreographer Maggie Marhan will bring modern dance works rich in the spirit of the times, “MAY B.”
French National Symphony Orchestra Photo Source: France Culture
A Newly Created “Paris 1874: Impressionist Night” Recreates the History of Impressionism Through Digital Technology, allowing audiences to immerse themselves in the artistic revolution.
Unprecedented Expansion, with 31 Cities Participating
This art festival spans from April to July, covering 31 cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Wuhan, etc., hosting 62 projects and 325 events. In addition to traditional art categories, it will also feature the first Chinese exhibition of stage jewelry from the Comédie-Française de Lyon and the “Photography Grande Ouverture” tour by the French Ministry of Culture, catering to diverse audience needs.
Since its establishment in 2006, the “Spring of Chinese-French Culture” has become a core platform for cultural exchange between the two countries, attracting over 15 million viewers.
This year, this spring art event will promote cultural exchange in more innovative forms, injecting new artistic vitality into China-France relations.