Francesco Sidoti
The lecture reviewed the historical journey of China’s transformation from a troubled old nation to the revitalized new China. It also focused on China’s recent achievements in fields such as science and information technology, analyzing the unique advantages rooted in its cultural traditions and technological applications. Through examples of historical Sino-Italian exchanges, such as the cross-cultural dialogue promoted by Matteo Ricci, the lecture highlighted the value of friendship and cooperation. Professor Sidoti advocated replacing confrontation with peaceful collaboration and emphasized that technological advancement must be grounded in the right cultural and moral foundations to contribute to global prosperity.
Joël Bellassen
Chinese cuisine boasts a long and rich history, shaped by various influences such as the philosophy of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, Confucian ethics, traditional Chinese medicine, nutrition, cultural aesthetics, culinary artistry, and the unique character of the Chinese people. These elements have culminated in a distinct, profound culinary tradition and a brilliant food culture.
Mr. Joël Bellassen, a renowned Sinologist with a deep passion for Chinese cuisine and extensive knowledge of global culinary traditions, regards Chinese food culture as a uniquely significant cultural hallmark of China. He believes that dining—or the act of eating—is not just an essential cultural and social behavior but also a form of identity.
Join Mr. Bellassen on a fascinating journey into the world of Chinese cuisine.
Rémi Mathieu
French sinologist Rémi Mathieu will deliver a lecture for us titled “An Anthropological Introduction to Time in the Book of Songs.” He believes that The Book of Songs, the oldest Chinese literary work, reveals the original meaning of the word “time”—specifically, the seasons of the year, which are determined by the precise position of the sun in the sky. He will provide a comprehensive analysis of the concept of time in The Book of Songs from four perspectives, sharing insights from his many years of in-depth research into classical Chinese.
Shen Weirong
Since the early 20th century, Tibetan studies have gradually integrated into the Western academic system. Over the nearly two-hundred-year history of Western Tibetan studies, it has undergone a shift from textual philology to area studies, marked by both academic achievements and challenges. Today, Tibetan studies has become a comprehensive field of area studies that encompasses a wide range of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, and it holds an important position in the international academic community.
Frances Wood
As one of the largest academic libraries in the world today, the British Library holds more than 150 million precious items, including over 60,000 rare Chinese books, documents, and manuscripts. In this lecture, renowned British Sinologist Dr. Frances Wood, former Head of the Chinese Section at the British Library, will narrate the centuries-long history of the British Library and the collection of Chinese materials in the UK.
From the initial Chinese works donated by Sir Hans Sloane to key figures such as James Cunningham, Shen Fuzong, Thomas Hyde, and Arthur Waley—Dr. Wood will trace the history and share stories about these special individuals and events that have shaped cultural exchanges between China and Britain.
In this lecture, we will explore the core issue of the 21st century: the dialogue between Chinese and Western civilizations. There are many commonalities between Chinese Confucianism and European Enlightenment philosophy. We will attempt to identify feasible points of dialogue between the two, compare their contributions to the modern world, and discuss how to achieve the exchange, integration, and mutual complementarity of these two civilizations after the dialogue.
For Ba Jin, France played a crucial role in his life. He visited France three times and lived there extensively in the late 1920s. To him, France was primarily a country of writers and intellectuals whom the young Ba Jin deeply admired—a nation of revolution and enlightenment. More importantly, France was where he learned to write novels, which, in his words, shaped his future life.
This is a humanistic dialog: Yuan Xiaoyi vs. Zhu Mu; A collision between a translator and a book collector; about the culture and perception of the city of Paris; about the value of and reflection on literary translation; about the generations and anecdotes of the French literary translation community.
The Classic of Mountains and Seas is an encyclopedia of ancient myths, a mythological and geographical journal that contains strange and absurd sayings and a collection of rare and exotic objects. Although today this work is regarded as a book of monsters, and is well known for its bizarre monsters and strange legends. But Black Rice. Matthew argues that the Shan Hai Jing describes ancient flora and fauna through a "depiction from the known to the unknown," which may seem to us to constitute a collection of oddities, but it is this misunderstanding that has given rise to an "aesthetic of the bizarre" that continues to be present in the creation of contemporary art. But it is this misunderstanding that has given rise to an "aesthetic of the bizarre" that has been carried over into contemporary art. This is what is so fascinating about this outstanding work from the pre-Qin period of ancient China.
Paul Belmondo was a great French sculptor of the contemporary Rodin School, and his son, Jean-Paul Belmondo, is a movie star familiar to Chinese audiences. In the atmosphere of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France and the organization of the Sino-French Cultural Tourism Year this year, Dong Chun recalls a few old stories of these two cultural celebrities' interactions with China during their lifetime, and remembers the sincere friendship between father and son expressed to China. The anecdotes were recounted one by one, which is a good story of cultural exchange between China and France.
Tell the story of the Stanislas Julien Prize—its origin, naming, its influence in the French academic circle, and the selection process for the Stanislas Julien Prize. Over the past decade, in the writing of the doctoral thesis "Shenlong: Iconography of the Ancient Chinese Dragon," gradually learn about the academic norms and methodologies of sinological research in France, and seek innovative aspects for the thesis. Using the scholarly lineages of sinologists such as Édouard Chavannes, Henri Maspero, Léon Wieger, and Jacques Gernet as examples, explain the transmission of sinological spirit within the French sinological lineage.
Select six (sets) of French literary translations and research works over the past 120 years, and use specific publications as the main body to examine the details of Sino-French cultural exchanges; briefly discuss the highlights of French literature translation and publishing in China; briefly describe the translation and publishing of French literary works in China The style; looking at the evolution and changes of French literary translation and publishing in the long history of Sino-French cultural exchanges.
On February 10, 2024, China will usher in the Year of the Dragon. Since ancient times, the dragon has been a virtual mythical animal in human imagination. It has the fantasy beauty of elegant flight. It is a mythical totem of the world's diverse civilizations and a mysterious symbol of the universe. In the legends of various nations around the world, dragons have different shapes and different emotional images. Due to cultural differences between different countries, they have different symbolic connotations.
There are "dragons" in both the East and the West. However, in the eyes of the Chinese, the dragon is an auspicious beast, while the French curse the dragon as a "devil"; in the eyes of the Chinese, the Year of the Dragon brings good luck, and people born in the Year of the Dragon have a bright future. , however, in Judeo-Christian culture, dragons are regarded as the "source of evil". The "phases" determined by the two sides for "the dragons of the universe" are absolutely opposite. This deep-rooted prejudice has its own historical environment and long process of expansion and evolution.
Regarding "le dragon", there have always been two types of understanding of "universal" or "ideal type", that is, what Plato and Aristotle call "universal" versus "individual". Different or even opposing rhetorical images; just like "le phase apparent et la face cachée" (le phase apparent et la face cachée) in classical Chinese poetry, highlighting the disparity between the two different cultures of the East and the West.
People's pursuit of "universals" inevitably leads to misunderstandings and even disharmony. At present, in the collision and exchange of multiculturalism around the world, it is important that all ethnic groups respect each other, understand each other, and know themselves and the enemy, so that they can truly maintain their respective cultural identities (identité culturelle).
The main speaker of this issue, Mr. Shen Dali, talked about the process of Chinese "dragon culture" and the demonization of dragons in the West, and experienced the differences between Chinese and Western cultures. The resulting misunderstandings and the many prejudices derived from the differences between different civilizations can only be achieved in the spirit of "unity but diversity" Only with the spirit of "can we achieve a certain degree of convergence of ideas in cross-cultural dialogue."
2023 is a special year for Joël Bellassen, marking his 50th year of studying and teaching
Chinese since the publication of his book "Qi ling Yin Ji" to "50 Years of Chinese
Language Learning and Teaching Experience". This spring, he was invited to give a lecture at the
EU Cultural Center in China-Europe College, sharing his stories, experiences, reflections, and
expectations from his 50-year journey with Chinese language.
In the early 1970s, when Chinese was still considered a "moon language" and knowledge of China
was limited to "ancient civilization, martial arts, Go, and Sun Tzu's Art of War," a message on
May 15, 1973 changed his life: the resumption of cultural exchanges between China and France.
Joël Bellassen came to study in China as an exchange student of Chinese, and he subsequently
studied at both Beijing Language and Culture University and Peking University.
Since then, Joël Bellassen has been devoted to Chinese language teaching, and became the first
full-time Inspector General of Chinese for France, responsible for the country's policy on
Chinese education. His 50-year journey with Chinese language includes interesting stories from
his study abroad experience, significant contributions to Chinese language teaching, deep
reflections, and encounters with Ba Jin and former French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing.
Join Joël Bellassen in his talk to listen to his stories of a 50-year journey with Chinese
language.
The most famous Chinese painting and calligraphy collection in the British Museum, "Admonitions
of the Instructress to Court Ladies" was painted by the Eastern Jin painter Gu Kaizhi, who
intended to use the story of the virtuous concubines to warn court women of the need to observe
maternal virtue. The surviving works are all copies of later generations.
The painting on silk in the British Museum's collection is a remarkable remnant of the Six
Dynasties of the Wei-Jin dynasty and is assessed by experts to have been made between the 5th
and 7th centuries, making it the closest surviving copy to the original.
It is the earliest surviving Chinese painting on silk and has been described as the "opening
picture" in Chinese art history.
Qiu Jinxian is a senior restorer at the British Museum, and as the first and currently only
Chinese restorer in British and European museums, she brought the art of Chinese painting and
calligraphy restoration to Britain more than 30 years ago, giving new life to countless ancient
Chinese paintings and calligraphy.
It is also under her that the 1600 year old "Admonitions of the Instructress to Court Ladies"
and the countless broken Chinese paintings and calligraphy stored in the British Museum's vaults
have been brought back to life!
In this issue, CEIBS is honored to invite Ms. Qiu Jinxian to explain the story behind the
restoration of the "Admonitions of the Instructress to Court Ladies" and the ancient Chinese
paintings and calligraphy.
In addition, we are honored to have Dr. Lu Yu Ping, Researcher and Head of Chinese Painting and
Calligraphy in the Asia Department of the British Museum, who will talk about how to plan the
exhibition of "Admonitions of the Instructress to Court Ladies" and the painting and calligraphy
exhibition in the British Museum's China Pavilion.
--Why did the British Museum divide the long scroll "Admonitions of the Instructress to
Court Ladies" into two parts?
--How was the painting restored and what were the difficulties?
--How is the painting stored and protected at the British Museum when it is not on
public display?
--How do you restore ancient Chinese paintings and calligraphy with "boiling water
washing"?
--How does the British Museum's China Gallery curate ancient Chinese paintings and
calligraphy?
This lecture will explain to you one by one.
Speaker
Francois-Picard
Mr. Picard specializes in religious music, has been professor of ethnomusicology at the Sorbonne
in Paris since 1998, has published several books on music, has been artistic director for more
than 30 recordings, and plays flute and harmonica in orchestras.
This lecture introduces you to a unique musical journey of a French student studying at the
Shanghai Conservatory of Music who, with his fellow students, set out from Shanghai in 1987 to
conduct folk music interviews in the countryside.
- Zhejiang Sheng County Zhejiang gongs and drums, playing summer rain
- Ningbo, Zhejiang xiao Open golden lock
- Fuzhou, Fujian, China Xifan
- Fuzhou, Fujian Guqin Pu'an Mantra
- Fujian Quanzhou Kaiyuan Temple incense and praise Vanda evening class
- Zhangzhou, Fujian Pipa, two-stringed, three-stringed accompaniment Changgong song Jinge
- Chengdu, Sichuan Qin Club
- Sichuan Music Academy Erhu
- Sichuan Chengdu Teahouse Sichuan Yangqin Kite Flying
In this lecture, Mr. Picard shared anecdotes from interviews and music clips recorded
35 years ago. The beautiful and ethereal folk music and the people who played it 30 years ago,
if not recorded, preserved and told by professionals like Mr. Picard, we might never hear the
music and the people of that time again.
Spécialisé dans la musique religieuse, M. Picard est professeur d'ethnomusicologie à la Sorbonne
à Paris depuis 1998, a publié plusieurs ouvrages sur la musique, a été directeur artistique de
plus de 30 enregistrements et joue de la flûte et de l'orgue à bouche dans des orchestres.
Cet exposé présente le parcours musical unique d'un étudiant français ayant étudié au
Conservatoire de musique de Shanghai en 1987, qui s'est rendu avec ses camarades de classe de
Shanghai à la campagne pour mener des entretiens sur la musique folklorique.
- Gongs et tambours du comté de Zhejiang Sheng, jouant la pluie d'été
- Ningbo, Zhejiang xiao Open Golden locks
- Fuzhou, Fujian, Chine Xifan
- Fuzhou, Fujian Guqin Pu'an Mantra
- Fujian Quanzhou Kaiyuan Temple encens praise Fanfa Cours du soir
- Zhangzhou, Fujian Pipa, à deux cordes, accompagnement à trois cordes Changgongge, Jinge
- Chengdu, Sichuan Qin Club
- Académie de musique du Sichuan Erhu
- Sichuan Chengdu Teahouse Sichuan Yangqin Kite Flying
Dans cette conférence, M. Picard a partagé des anecdotes tirées d'interviews et de clips
musicaux enregistrés il y a 35 ans. La musique folklorique belle et éthérée et les personnes qui
la jouaient il y a 30 ans, si elles ne sont pas documentées, préservées et racontées par des
professionnels comme M. Picard, nous risquons de ne plus jamais entendre la musique et les
personnes de cette époque.
SpeakerZHANG Hanjun
Victor Hugo, a representative figure of 19th century French interature, produced for more than
sixty years a large number of poems, novels, plays, political essays, and literary criticism,
adding to the treasure of the French literature and human civilization. He had a great influence
in France and around the world.
Hugo's name entered China in the first half of the twentieth century through the translation of
some of his plays and novels into Chinese.
This videoconference will cover the interesting story of the introduction of Hugo's work into
language textbooks for primary and secondary schools in China, as well as the lesser-known story
of his life. The lecture should help the public get closer to the spiritual world of Hugo.
Videoconference broadcast on Saturday July 16 at 3 p.m. (GMt+2) on Youtube, Bilibili and Weibo
Speaker
As the founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud rose to global fame and continues to attract
attention today. Freud's theories and works were first introduced to China in 1913 and have had
a considerable impact in China. His ideas and works are now part of cultural life in China.
Now, the Freud Museum in London launches a special exhibition 'Freud and China: Possession and
Imagination', to explore and reveal Freud's fascination with China for the first time.
We are honoured to invite the curator of this exhibition Prof. Craig Clunas. He will tell us
about the Chinese dimension in Freud's collection, explore the history of Freud's theories and
ideas in China and their significance in modern China today, and bring us new insights into the
endlessly fascinating figure of Freud.
In this programme, we will also take you to visit the Freud Museum, which was the final home of
Freud and his daughter Anna Freud, who was the pioneering child psychoanalyst.
Lu Xun, the Modern Woodcut Movement and the Printmaking Art of China.
It is well known that woodblock prints have a long history in China, and the first printed book
in the world is The Diamond Sutra, published in 868 of the Tang Dynasty - which can now be found
in the British Library. In the seventeenth century, the emergence of overlay Shuiyin printing
techniques, marked the peak of Chinese engraving and printing history. In the late Qing Dynasty,
missionaries introduced Western mechanised lithographic and letterpress printing to China,
transforming printing and book publishing.
Arguably one of the most important cultural figures of 20th century China, Lu Xun was a leading
left-wing writer, literary critic, print-maker and designer. He was highly acclaimed by the
Chinese government after 1949, and Mao Zedong himself, was a lifelong admirer of Lu Xun's
writing. It was Lu Xun, who revived woodblock printing in the Modern Woodcut Movement from 1930
to 1950. He transformed woodblock print as a weapon for social change, national resistance and a
new type of visual art.
“Lu Xun's Legacy: Print Making in Modern China” exhibition was presented by University of London
SOAS's Brunei Gallery and Muban Educational Trust. This lecture will go through the exhibition
and analyse the glorious century-long development of Modern Chinese Printmaking and the
extraordinary range and diversity of its stylistic, technical and aesthetic expression.
speakersZHANG Hanjun
China has been sending medical teams to Africa for nearly half a century, a model of long-term
cooperation in health and medical care that has been effective and well received by the
governments and people of African countries.
In the 1980s, Zhang Hanjun worked as an interpreter for a Chinese medical team sent to Tunisia.
In this video conference, he will talk about his personal experience and his return to Tunisia
27 years later.
Witnessing the dedication of the Chinese doctors, he will talk about the moments he spent with
them: how their professionalism earned the respect and trust of the African patients as well as
the many friendships that developed between the Chinese medical team members, the local medical
staff and the local people.
Videoconference broadcast live on Saturday 26 February 2022 at 3pm (GMT+2) on Zoom
speakersZHANG Hanjun
On Saturday 11 December 2021 at 3pm, join Mr Zhang Hanjun in a video conference on the Chinese
workers of the First World War who came to support the war effort in France.
"During the First World War, more than 160,000 Chinese workers recruited in China landed in
Western Europe, some at the request of France and others at the request of England, all on
civilian contracts. They came to alleviate the labour shortage that France had suffered in its
wartime economy, and for the British army, which had suffered a severe shortage of manpower in
its logistics.
This subject of Chinese workers was buried in oblivion for more than sixty years, and it seems
only right that a revival of memory should have arisen in the last thirty years, so valuable was
their contribution to the Allies, and it is up to our generation to reveal their existence and
their sacrifice, and to the younger generations to continue this work of research and
remembrance.
Videoconference broadcast live on Saturday 11 December 2021 at 3pm (GMT+2) on Youtube (News from
Europe) / Facebook (China-info.com) / Weibo (欧洲时报)
speakersSHEN Dali
In autumn 2020, the French publisher Bibliothèque de l'Image and Beijing Education and Research
Publishing jointly published in Paris 'The Strange Chronicles of the Leisure Pavilion', one of
the great classics of Chinese literature, written by Pu Songling (1640-1715) of the Qing
dynasty, with more than one hundred beautiful illustrations by painters of the same period.
As the FNAC presents it, 'This is a collection of fantastic tales, mixing the natural and the
supernatural, whose main instigators are women and where love plays an important role. The
recurring character is none other than a gentle fox-woman with a big heart, a feminine beauty
incarnate who sometimes disappears, sometimes appears, always smiling and full of concern for
her host. From this, one naturally thinks of Vera by the French poet Villiers de l'Isle-Adam,
Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, or Edgard Allen Poe's Black Cat. In any case, it would
be interesting to compare Pu Sonling with certain writers of Western fantasy literature to
discover similarities on the one hand, and above all, differences in culture between different
nations on the
speakersSHEN Dali
The Paris Commune, which lasted only 72 days in 1871, was a feat of social revolution in human
history, the first attempt at "popular sovereignty" in human history. Marx called it a "soaring
to the sky" movement. Among them, an "imposing" group of women and men emerged. During the
lecture, Professor Shen Dali eloquently explained through a large number of images and
historical materials, he traced the touching deeds of the heroes of the commune, and the heroic
years that were etched in the long river of history.
Videoconference broadcast live on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 3:00 pm (GMT+2) on Youtube
(European News) / Facebook (China-info.com) / Weibo (欧洲时报)