The "2024 South China Book Festival and Yangcheng Book Fair " are in full swing. This year's guest of honor at the South China Book Festival is France. The festival has set up a French Pavilion at the main venue in Pazhou. Over the past few days, the French Pavilion has hosted a series of cultural exchange events highlighting the friendly interactions between China and France. The South China Book Festival, making the literary journey in Guangdong travel across mountains and seas, has seen vibrant cultural exchanges between China and France at the Pazhou main venue.

A celebration of literary exchange and artistic fusion

"Encouraging people to rediscover hope, to find and create meaning in their individual lives is the richest insight we gain from French literature," said Xu Zhenhua, advisor to the Comparative Studies of China-France Literature Association and former Party Secretary and President of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. He delivered the characteristics and development of French literature under the theme "60 Years of Contemporary French Literature in China". 

"Literature uses universal language, which transcends differences and borders. It reminds us that, despite our diversity, our humanity is shared." At the event, the French Consul General in Guangzhou, Sylvain Fourrière , shared his long-standing interest in Chinese literature from his youth. Christophe Bagonneau, Cultural Consul of the French Consulate General in Guangzhou , also mentioned, "Two years ago, the first thing I bought in Guangzhou was a book. I enjoy literary magazines like 'Readers '."

Design art plays a key role in cultural exchange. The French pavilion features exhibitions on fashion and architecture, showcasing distinctive achievements of Sino-French collaboration. ESMOD Guangzhou  (École supérieure des arts et techniques de la mode) displayed student works incorporating themes like Chinese calligraphy and indigo dyeing . Yu Jun, the school's Director of Development, said, "We aim to bring more cutting-edge international design concepts and innovative techniques to China, while also sharing China's rich and brilliant culture with the world."

The way of integrated development

David Gosset is a French sinologist and expert in international relations, known for founding the China-Europe Forum and initiating the China-Europe-America Global Initiative . At this year's book fair, Gosset presented his new work, "Inspiring Greater Bay Area China : A French Sinologist's Investigation of Southern China ".

"The population of the Greater Bay Area exceeds the total population of France. BYD 's headquarters is located in the Greater Bay Area, and its success is largely attributed to its innovative capabilities, a standout feature throughout the entire region. For the Greater Bay Area, I believe its future has already arrived," said David Gosset. He noted that the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area provides the best opportunities and platforms for cultural exchange between Guangdong and France.

David Gosset is very interested in the integrated development of China's Greater Bay Area. He pointed out that it bears similarities to the European Union’s integration process and could offer valuable insights into France's development. He hopes for mutual exchange and learning between the two regions. In his view, the most crucial infrastructure for integration is transportation. He has experienced the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the recently opened Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link in person and concludes that reducing geographical distances has made positive impacts on the economic and cultural exchanges.

Source :Yangcheng Evening News

书香飞“粤”山海，中法文化在此交汇

“2024南国书香节暨羊城书展”正火热进行中。今年南国书香节的主宾国是法国，2024南国书香节暨羊城书展在琶洲主会场设置了法国主宾国馆。连日来，法国馆举办了一系列具有中法友好交往元素的文化交流活动。南国书香飞“粤”山海,中法文化在南国书香节琶洲主会场交流绽放。　　

文学交流的盛宴，艺术火花的碰撞

“鼓励人们重拾希望，去发现和创造个体生命的意义，这是我们从法国文学收获的最丰富的启示。”中法语言文学比较研究会顾问，广东外语外贸大学原党委书记、校长徐真华以“60年，法国当代文学在中国”为主题，剖析法国文学的特点与发展脉络。

“文学是普世的语言，它可以跨越差异与国界并且提醒我们：尽管我们各不相同，但人性共通。”现场，法国驻广州总领事福希玮说，青年时代便对中国文学产生了浓厚兴趣。法国驻广州总领事馆文化领事白川鸿也表示：“两年前我到广州买的第一样物件就是书。我喜欢《读者》等文学杂志。”　　

设计艺术同样是文化交流中非常重要的板块，在法国馆内有着以服装设计和建筑设计为主题的展区，展示了各具特色的中法交流成果。ESMOD广州-法国高等服装设计学院展出了本校学生的设计作品，涉及中国书法、蓝染元素等主题。该校事业发展部总监余珺表示：“希望能把更多国际化先进设计理念、创新工艺引进中国，同时也把中国优秀、灿烂的文化输出到全世界。”

一体化发展之道

高大伟（David Gosset）是一名来自法国的汉学家、国际关系专家，曾创办中欧论坛、发起中欧美全球倡议。这次书香节上，高大伟带来了《灵感·大湾区——一个法国汉学家的中国南方调查》这一新作品。

“大湾区的人口比法国总人口都多。比亚迪总部就在大湾区，比亚迪的成功秘诀就是他的创新能力。这一点在整个大湾区都非常突出。对大湾区来说，我觉得它的未来已来。”高大伟说，粤港澳大湾区的建设为广东与法国的文化交流提供了最好的机遇和平台。

高大伟对中国大湾区的一体化发展非常感兴趣。他表示，这和欧盟的一体化发展有相似之处，能够给法国的发展提供非常重要的参考，希望可以互相交流，互相借鉴。在他看来，一体化发展最重要的硬件条件是交通，他亲身体验了港珠澳大桥和新近开通的深中通道，认为拉近地理距离对经济文化交流发展有积极作用。

文｜记者 何文涛，实习生 许顺瑾、黄文禹
翻译｜肖凯欣
英文审校｜赵凡