2014 marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, with a series of grand cultural events held in both countries. Among them, the most eye-catching was undoubtedly the "Ruins Reborn" Yuanmingyuan Cultural Exhibition. At the invitation of the China International Culture Association under the Ministry of Culture, the "Ruins Reborn" exhibition once again went abroad and was recently held in Paris, France, to showcase and disseminate the culture of Yuanmingyuan and the "Three Hills and Five Gardens" more extensively and deeply. The mysterious and ancient door to Chinese civilization, represented by "Ruins Reborn," has once again opened to the people of Europe.
"Ruins Reborn" is an exhibition brand that Yuanmingyuan has been fully developing since 2012, aiming to promote Yuanmingyuan and traditional Chinese culture to international audiences. From 2012 to 2013, the exhibition was held in Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and at Beijing’s Century Altar, all of which were met with great enthusiasm and unprecedented success. In the words of Mr. Shi Mingde, China’s Ambassador to Germany: “The Yuanmingyuan Cultural Exhibition has sparked a new wave of China fever.” Mr. Koch, Director of the German Historical Museum, commented: “Yuanmingyuan is an extraordinary and outstanding architectural complex for me. It also carries an important commemorative function, bearing the Chinese people’s vigilance over a humiliating past.” Mr. Titarenko, Chairman of the Russia-China Friendship Association, said: “The Ruins Reborn exhibition shows how the Chinese people have learned from historical lessons and experiences, and have tirelessly developed a great culture. This is highly respectable and commendable, and the Chinese people have set an example for us all.”
The exhibition opened on the morning of September 8 at the European Times Cultural Center in Paris, one of its satellite venues. That evening, the main venue at the Paris New China Photo Gallery began its concurrent display. Dong Junxin, Vice President of the China International Culture Association, Li Shaoping, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in France, Sui Zhenjiang, Secretary of the Haidian District Committee, Marc Piton, the French overall coordinator of the 50th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations, Jean-Noël Jeanneney, Director of the Bibliothèque nationale de France, as well as about a hundred other French dignitaries, experts, scholars, and friends from various sectors including the French Huaxia Architecture Society, attended the opening ceremony that evening.
Visitors view the exquisite models at the "Ruins Reborn" exhibition
The content of this exhibition is quite rich. Arranged chronologically and presented through photos, videos, models, cultural relics components (replicas), digital multimedia, and other forms, it combines virtual and real elements to showcase the rise, decline, and revival of Yuanmingyuan. Not only were all the exhibits from the previous two exhibitions displayed, but a specially created “Model of the Yuanmingyuan Grand Palace Gate Area” was also unveiled, including the architectural landscape from the large screen wall in front of the gate in the south to the Shou Mountain behind the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity in the north. The Grand Palace Gate Area was the front court of the Qing emperors’ garden, Yuanmingyuan, including the main gate of the imperial garden—the Grand Palace Gate, the Enter the Virtuous Gate, as well as the first of the Forty Scenes: “Hall of Benevolence and Longevity” and “Hall of Diligent Government,” where important ceremonial activities of Yuanmingyuan were held. Additionally, 12 mahogany architectural models of Yuanmingyuan were made at a 1:25 scale based on historical records from the Qing Dynasty and architectural plans from the Style House. These models depict some of the most representative individual buildings in Yuanmingyuan, including the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, the Hall of Carved Moon and Opened Clouds, the Penglai Fairyland Terrace, the Eyebrow Moon Pavilion of the Huifang Academy, the Self-striking Clock Tower of the Kind Clouds Protection Hall, the Small City Gate of the Apricot Blossom Spring Villa, the Wenyuan Pavilion, the Huanlu Shengjing Hall of the Phoenix Singing Paradise, the Sea and Mountain Opening Lapel, the Qingyin Pavilion Theater, the Wanfang Anhe, and the Danbo Ningjing. The models are exquisitely crafted, lifelike in form, majestic in scale, and awe-inspiring. They not only showcase the grandeur of the imperial architecture of Yuanmingyuan in its heyday but also represent the pinnacle of China’s current handicraft artistry. During the exhibition in France, to allow visitors touring Yuanmingyuan to also see the wooden models, the Yuanmingyuan management office specially kept the Wanfang Anhe and Danbo Ningjing models at the Zhengjue Temple for public appreciation.
Speech by Marc Piton, French Overall Coordinator of the 50th Anniversary of China-France Diplomatic Relations
During the Paris exhibition that evening, these delicate models captured the attention of all the media and visitors. The miraculous craftsmanship of ancient Chinese architecture—being able to form beautiful and reliable structures without nails or glue—left them lingering, observing carefully, and full of admiration. A French visitor who had viewed the exhibition said: “The exhibition allowed me to see the charm of Beijing’s culture and the friendship between China and France. I hope that we and our descendants can pass on this friendship.”
At the same time, the exhibition also presented the fruitful achievements of Digital Yuanmingyuan: screening the film “Reviving Yuanmingyuan” to display the glorious splendor of Yuanmingyuan in its prime; using holographic cabinets to showcase Yuanmingyuan’s collection of cultural relics, and digitally presenting the artistic charm of Yuanmingyuan’s rich collection of artifacts. It also featured, for the first time, a digital holographic display of the latest research results on the restoration of the Western-style Buildings, including the restored effects of the Haiyantang, Xieqiqu, and Dashuifa. Other exhibits included the prop “Twelve Zodiac Animal Heads” from Jackie Chan’s movie “Chinese Zodiac,” a jade carving panorama of Yuanmingyuan, and stone component replicas such as Yuanmingyuan boundary stones, stone fish, and Western-style building stone components, allowing European audiences to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the charm of traditional Chinese culture and garden culture represented by Yuanmingyuan. During the "Ruins Reborn" exhibition, the "Beijing Garden" exhibition was also concurrently held at the European Times Cultural Center.
The return of "Ruins Reborn" to Europe on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations has been highly praised by various circles both in China and abroad. It is believed that the "Ruins Reborn" series of exhibitions carries the historic mission of promoting cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries, spreading the essence and profound spiritual connotations of China's long-standing philosophy of harmony. It will not only leave a significant mark in the history of cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries, but its artistic and humanistic value will also surely advance the development of global cultural exchange.
Bai Jie, Deputy Secretary-General of the Beijing International Culture Association, stated that he hopes the "Ruins Reborn" and the two exhibitions will allow French audiences to understand the deep friendship between China and France and between their peoples, and to experience the art of Yuanmingyuan and the beauty of Beijing. Li Shaoping, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in France, said that this year, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations, there are about eight hundred exchange and celebration activities being held in the two countries, a large proportion of which are cultural events. Culture is the bond that connects the emotions of the peoples of the two countries, and he hopes that these two cultural exhibitions will further enhance the friendship and mutual understanding between China and France.
Both exhibitions are part of the activities within the framework of the 50th anniversary celebration of diplomatic relations between China and France, and are also special gifts from China’s capital, Beijing, to the 50th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations. Marc Piton, the French overall coordinator of the 50th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations, said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency reporters at the opening ceremony of the exhibition that he has visited Yuanmingyuan three times and is full of admiration for its beautiful scenery and cultural heritage. He said that the fact that this exhibition can come to Paris on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations will undoubtedly provide the French public with more opportunities to learn about China and add important content to China-French cultural exchanges.
Dong Junxin, Vice President of the China International Culture Association, said in his speech that cultural exchanges between China and France have a long history. For a long time, Chinese and French civilizations have continuously exchanged and learned from each other, adding splendid colors to the cultures of both countries. From Berlin, Moscow, to Paris, the "Ruins Reborn – Yuanmingyuan Cultural Exhibition" has continuously promoted cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries, allowing more people to experience the beauty of Chinese gardens and the profoundness of Chinese culture through the exhibition, thereby enhancing their understanding of Chinese culture. It can be predicted that this feast of ancient Eastern civilization originating from Yuanmingyuan will continue to ferment in Europe, bringing more lasting and far-reaching impacts.