Beijing, capital city of China, is currently immersed in the vibrant colors and fragrances of cultural festivals featuring peach blossoms and tulips.
These events have become a major attraction for locals and visitors alike, offering a delightful experience amidst nature's beauty.
In Pinggu District of Beijing, picturesque scenes of thousands of peach blossoms whispering their charms in the cozy spring breeze drew many visitors, who came to enjoy the flowers.
The Beijing Pinggu International Peach Blossom Festival opened on Monday, inviting visitors to explore over 1,600 acres of peach blossom and watch a kite competition.
This festival will last until May 10.
In addition, Beijing's Tulip Cultural Festival kicked off last Wednesday, with over 160 varieties of tulips blooming across an area of over 160,000 square meters, drawing crowds from far and wide to witness the mesmerizing spectacle of tulips in full bloom.
The meticulous arrangements and skillful color combinations create a visually stunning landscape, leaving viewers in awe. "These tulips are exceptionally beautiful. At first, the children thought they were artificial flowers, but they were surprised to discover that they were real. The colors are especially pleasing. It is a visual feast for the eyes," said Zhang, a tourist. The festival is expected to continue until the end of May.
Beijing celebrates vibrant cultural festivals, showcasing enchanting beauty of peach blossoms, tulips
The year 2024 celebrates the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties, and it also heralds the China-France Year of Cultural Tourism, a celebration aimed at bolstering cultural and people-to-people exchanges through a series of enriching events.
During a special episode focused on this milestone, cultural experts and influencers from both nations shared insights into the depth of Sino-French cultural interactions.
The discussion, livestreamed from Shanghai on April 22, began with a historical overview, notably when then-Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai introduced President Georges Pompidou to the Yungang Grottoes, a renowned Buddhist cave site in north China's Shanxi. These caves feature intricate carvings that reflect religious and cultural syntheses from the 5th and 6th centuries.
David Gosset, founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative, commented on the geopolitical context of the initial outreach.
"People have to remember that we were in the middle of the Cold War, therefore, the world was divided. For a Western country like France to reach out to China, and of course vice versa, it's a beautiful moment, historical diplomatic breakthroughs, means that despite all the geopolitical difficulties, a spirit of cooperation and friendship can prevail," said Gosset.
Xie Dingwei, executive director of the Bund One Art Museum, emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
"We need to preserve these cultural heritages. We not [just] preserve the sculptures or the buildings itself, but also, it gives us a chance to see hundreds of years ago, how our craftsmanship, our architecture, our human beings, we have reached [such] high levels, which brings us to the present time these treasures, these values. This is something we really cannot afford to lose. Culture is a common language; it doesn't matter you're Eastern art or Western art, somehow they can be connected. So this is something I think it creates a communication channel between the nations," said Xie.
The cultural connection was recently demonstrated during a meeting last April between French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where they enjoyed the performance of "Flowing Water" played on the Guqin by a Chinese artist, symbolizing the flowing friendship between the two nations.
"This communication on art subjects between the nations and different peoples are really, really important. It goes beyond politics, beyond the differences between the nations. But you all go to getting closer to understanding each other," said Xie.
Gosset also supported the notion of fostering unity through cultural platforms, aligning with President Xi Jinping's idea of building a community with a shared future.
"I am completely aligned with this idea. We are on the same boat. Our world is frightened by too many divisions. And I think, what is important is to support the forces that can unite us, so it can be music, and certainly museums, and you need leaders with a vision that does not separate us," said Gosset.
Six decades of China-France diplomatic relations highlighted by cultural exchange
