Cultural events open new chapter of Shanghai-Paris dialogue

A series of events to promote intercultural communication between Shanghai and world cities will soon kick off at its first stop in Paris as part of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Sino-France diplomatic ties.

Themed "Our Water: To a Boundless Future", the series of events consists of a major forum, several exhibitions and other cultural exchange events.

The forum, which will start at the Palais Brongniart at 2 PM Paris time on April 18, focuses mainly on the exploration of river governance, waterfront development, and the profound historical and cultural connections between the Suzhou Creek and the Seine River, respectively both the mother rivers for Shanghai and Paris.

As both Shanghai and Paris face opportunities and challenges in urban renewal along these vital waterways, the forum serves as an important platform for sharing practical knowledge and interdisciplinary approaches, according to Yang Jing, an official with the Information Office of Shanghai Municipality, the event's co-organizer.

"Many renowned global metropolises have emerged and thrived along great rivers," Yang said. "For the inaugural dialogue between Shanghai and Paris, we chose the two cities' shared connections with their mother rivers as the entry point."

The forum will feature keynote speeches and panel discussions that look at the opportunities for cultural exchange between East and West, the enduring cultural exchanges, the potential for riverfront urban renewal and economic and trade cooperation between Shanghai and Paris.

Beyond the forum, there will also be cultural and artistic exchange events presenting historical memories, culinary delights, architectural beauty and arts. Such events include an exhibition featuring the gardens of Jiangnan, the region south of the Yangtze River; a solo exhibition by Chinese painter Chen Jialing themed on "A Life by the River"; and an event bringing together chefs from both cities to present "A Bite of Shanghai: Chinese Cuisine Night in Paris, 2024".

The "Our Water, Our City: Moving Image Exhibition & Art Week" will present four immersive audiovisual chapters documenting the past and present of the Suzhou Creek and Seine through light and shadow projections, art installations, historical footage and cross-city documentary screenings in collaboration with French audiovisual archives institutions INA and GP Archives, according to the Shanghai information office.

"Through the dialogue and mutual learning, we aim to share China and Shanghai's modernization journey with the rest of the world," Yang said.