Events - The Jardin d'Acclimatation will celebrate the Sixtieth Anniversary of Sino-French Diplomatic Relations with the Dragons and Lanterns Festival from December 15, 2023

By Mulder, 27 november 2023

"The Dragons and Lanterns Festival is much more than just a festive event. It embodies the spirit of friendship between China and France, highlighting our shared cultural heritage and offering an immersive experience to Parisians and visitors from around the world" - Marc Antoine Jamet, President of the Jardin d'Acclimatation.

To mark the sixtieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, as well as the Sino-French Year of Cultural Tourism in 2024, the Jardin d'Acclimatation, in partnership with Shanghai Yuyuan, is proud to announce the first-ever Dragons and Lanterns Festival, illuminating the French capital's iconic garden from December 15, 2023 to February 25, 2024.

This exceptional event is the fruit of an unprecedented collaboration between renowned personalities, symbolizing the cultural bridge between China and France. Contributors to this major project include Yan Zhengquan, Minister-Counsellor of Culture at the Chinese Embassy in France; Liu Hongge, Director of the Chinese Cultural Centre in Paris; Marc Antoine Jamet, General Secretary of the LVMH Group and President of the Jardin d'Acclimatation; and Hu Tingzhou, President of Yuyuan Inc. a subsidiary of Fosun.

The Jardin d'Acclimatation will be transformed into a fairytale realm after dark, with lantern installations and majestic structures inspired by The Book of Mounts and Seas, a classic of Chinese literature that has fueled the imagination for over 2,000 years. This magical journey promises to immerse visitors in the richness of traditional Chinese culture.

At the heart of the Dragons and Lanterns Festival, Parisians will have the chance to discover the first variation of Yuyuan Lantern outside China, offering an experience never before seen in Europe. The festivities will include colorful Chinese dragons, live art shows, martial arts demonstrations, and delicious culinary creations to tantalize the taste buds.

The project was officially unveiled on September 26, 2023, at a presentation conference at the Chinese Cultural Center in Paris, in the presence of key figures such as Hu Tingzhou, Marc Antoine Jamet, Yan Zhengquan, and Liu Hongge. This unique collaboration is part of a shared desire to celebrate cultural diversity and strengthen ties between the two nations.

For the duration of the Festival, the Chinese Cultural Centre in Paris will also play an essential role as a complementary window, offering the public the chance to explore traditional Chinese culture and other elements of intangible cultural heritage. In tandem with the Dragons and Lanterns Festival, the Center will organize a series of varied and enriching cultural activities.

The Jardin d'Acclimatation warmly invites Parisians and visitors from all over the world to take part in this exceptional celebration, combining tradition and modernity, as part of the Sixtieth Anniversary of SinoFrench Diplomatic Relations and the SinoFrench Year of Cultural Tourism.

Dragons and Lanterns Festival
Venue: Jardin d'Acclimatation - Carrefour des Sablons - Bois de Boulogne - 75116 Paris
Access: Metro L1 Les Sablons
Dates : From Friday, December 15, 2023 to Sunday, February 25, 2024
Times : Open from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Prices : Full price €18, Reduced price €12, Free for children under 4.
Further information and tickets from November 15 on: festivallanternes.com.
An event organized by Yuyuan Inc, Borui and Codecom Events.

(Source : press release)