"Opportunity China · Springs in Jinan " photography exposition opens in Rennes

On June 9 local time, the Brittany Confucius Institute hosted a cultural exchange event called 'Tea for Harmony’, and a photography exposition named 'Opportunity China · Springs in Jinan' in Rennes, a city in western France. The activities showcased the charm of Chinese culture, and deepened people-to-people exchanges between China and France. Through diverse forms such as cuisine, calligraphy, music, games, and multimedia visuals, this event multi-dimensionally showcased the diversity and rich heritage of Chinese culture. Among them, the exhibition 'Opportunity China · Springs in Jinan' was co-organized by the Brittany Confucius Institute and the Information Office of Jinan Municipal People's Government. It featured the photographic artworks themed around Jinan's springs, showcasing the character of spring city and interpreting its unique charm. The exhibition attracted numerous local citizens and Sino-French cultural representatives.

Guests viewed the exhibits

Blaise Thierrée, headmaster of the Brittany Confucius Institute, noted that Rennes and Jinan have maintained frequent cultural and educational exchanges since forging a sister-city relationship in 2002. This exhibition, located at the 'Jinan Garden' in Rennes' garden, symbolizes the enduring partnership between the two cities.

Blaise Thierrée, headmaster of the Brittany Confucius Institute

The Jinan Garden, located in Rennes' Morpar Park, was completed in 2024 and now stands as a symbol of the sister-city relationship between Rennes and Jinan. This garden integrates Jinan's distinctive spring culture and classical garden design elements. Jointly designed and constructed by Chinese and French garden artists and architectural teams, it manifests fruitful outcomes of cultural exchange and collaboration between the two nations.

Event venue: Jinan Garden

After visiting the "Opportunity China · Springs In Jinan" photo exhibition，Bernard, a Rennes resident, remarked that he previously knew little about Jinan. But though the abundant visual documentation, he sparked profound interest in this city famed for its springs. Now he hopes to visit Jinan personally in the future.

Frédéric, a French citizen, noted that Jinan's springs and the city's classical architecture vividly embodying the symbiotic beauty of nature and human culture. The tranquility and dynamic vitality created by the springs are quite impressive. The organic integration of springs and classical gardens manifests the unique wisdom in traditional Chinese aesthetics and garden design.

The tea and springs provide opportunities to build a bridge for Franco-Chinese civilizational dialogue in Rennes' Jinan Garden. The Brittany Confucius Institute, in collaboration with Jinan City, showcased the natural charm of the Spring City through multi-dimensional cultural exhibition in the sister city of Rennes. This gathering across mountains and seas converted cultural resonance into currents of the friendship river, flowing with the eternal resonance of mutual learning.

（Translated by Liu Zimeng）