A senior French legislator has said that a famous text by poet, novelist and dramatist Victor Hugo (1802-1885) on the Old Summer Palace (also known as Yuanmingyuan) in Beijing is powerful not only for China but also illustrates the significance of cultural heritage for every nation, as France enacted a law simplifying the return of illicit cultural relics.
The law, promulgated by French President Emmanuel Macron on May 9 and published in an official gazette on May 10, aims to streamline procedures for the restitution of illegally acquired cultural objects.
During its deliberation in the National Assembly, the deputy chair of the Committee on Cultural and Education Affairs, Jeremie Patrier-Leitus, quoted Victor Hugo’s well-known condemnation of the looting of the Yuanmingyuan by Anglo-French forces in October 1860, drawing wide attention in China.
"I found this quote powerful. Beyond China, I thought it could show what objects and heritage represent a country. I myself am attached to heritage. Before becoming a member of parliament, I was involved in the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, and I felt that Victor Hugo's quote demonstrated how important our objects, what constitutes our history and identity, are for a people, for the Chinese people, but also for the French people. However, I did not expect it to have such a strong resonance and echo in China. It is undoubtedly because Victor Hugo's words were powerful and touched the hearts of the Chinese people, just as they touched me as a French person," he said.
Patrier-Leitus added that culture has always been an open door between France and China. Cooperation on cultural heritage can proceed not only at the governmental and political levels, but also through museums, research institutions and civil exchanges.
"Culture has always been a window and an open door. I believe that heritage is, and will always remain, an open door between France and China. As you know, Chinese people come to France. Many Chinese tourists come every year to discover our museums and our heritage. And I do think that France and the French people could, to an even greater extent, go and discover the richness of China and the wealth of Chinese heritage," he said.
During the Second Opium War, French and British troops captured the Yuanmingyuan on 6 October 1860, looting and destroying the imperial collections over the next few days. Hugo was among the first to condemn the looting and deplore the destruction of the Yuanmingyuan."One day two bandits entered the Summer Palace. One plundered, the other burned," Hugo said.
French lawmaker underscores cultural heritage ties with China
