Traditional event celebrates 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations
Mythical creatures described in Shan Hai Jing (Classic of Mountains and Seas), an ancient work of Chinese literature, are recreated at the Yuyuan Garden Lantern Show in Paris. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
Since its Paris debut in mid-December, the Yuyuan Garden Lantern Show has attracted huge crowds to admire its fine designs and colorful lights during the chilly winter nights at the 163-year-old Jardin d'Acclimatation amusement park.
It is the first time the lantern show, a national intangible cultural heritage in Shanghai, has been held outside China.
The show, which opened on Dec 15 in Paris at the same time as the one that opened in Shanghai's Yuyuan Garden, is among events celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic relations. It also ushers in the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism. The show will run through Feb 25.
According to the event's organizer Yuyuan Inc, 3,000 online tickets were snapped up in a day, with additional ones being sold in-person.
At the illuminated double dragon-shaped gate, long lines of visitors can be seen at the entrance.
Themed "Classic of Mountains and Seas", which shares the name of the ancient Chinese mythology Shan Hai Jing, the event comprises 60 large Chinese lantern sets and 2,000 traditional lanterns, allowing visitors to appreciate the spectacular art of Chinese lanterns and broader Chinese culture.
Bringing legends to life
Mythical creatures described in the book dating back 2,200 years were brought to life at the show through these delightful displays.
Kun, a legendary giant creature from the northern sea that was said to have been a fish while in water and an enormous bird, or peng, after it emerged, is one of the creatures featured. Also featured is yinglong, a powerful dragon with a pair of wings that was deemed to be the "god of rain" and "god of the warriors".
Damien, who lives near Paris, said it was the first time he has seen such a massive festival.
"I really like everything, especially the part that shows fantastic animals and Chinese mythology, which is very colorful and somewhat magical, with animals that we are not necessarily used to seeing," he said. "And also the colors… It's very lively, very rich in color. I've been to China once, and it's an extraordinary country. So, I highly recommend it."
A visitor poses for a picture with a panda lantern at the Yuyuan Garden Lantern Show in Paris. (HAN JING / CHINA DAILY)
Antonio and Bruno, who heard about the event online and took their children to see it "to enlighten them", said it was truly magnificent. The mythology section was their favorite part, particularly the white deer with leaves on its antlers.
"I find it very, very beautiful," said Bruno, who is from the suburbs of Paris.
"All the animals are beautifully represented. It's nice. It's very, very beautiful. We feel a real story, and we even want to be more interested in it. We are always a little drawn to all these colors, all these lights, to mythology, to history."
Antonio, who lives in Haute-Savoie in eastern France, said they had seen small lantern shows in the past, but it was their first time to be at one on such a scale.
"I would love to go to China. That would be great," he said.
Mythical creatures described in Shan Hai Jing are recreated at the Yuyuan Garden Lantern Show in Paris. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
Cultural immersion
According to the Chinese zodiac, 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, so an illuminated dragon is another key element in the show.
Alexandre, a 7-year-old Parisian who visited the festival with his father Kevin, said he was attracted to a set of carp lanterns jumping over a dragon gate.
"I like the lotus at the beginning, but what I love is the triumphal arch with the dragon. It is too beautiful," he said. "Yes, this makes me want to (go to China one day). This makes me really want to (go there)."
Kevin, who stopped by Chengdu in Sichuan province during a trip from Beijing to Hong Kong, said: "I'm a big fan of dragons, so my favorites are all the dragons we can see, or the carp. It's very beautiful here.
"My first trip (to China) already made me want to go back. So, yes (I want to go back there)."
The Yuyuan Garden Lantern Show attracts huge crowds to the Jardin d'Acclimatation amusement park in Paris. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
As the night darkened, visitors wandered through walkways lined with lanterns and enjoyed Chinese mask-changing and traditional Chinese music performances. Many made their way to shops selling gifts and Chinese food.
Handmade Shanxi sliced noodles and Nanxiang steamed buns were popular with visitors looking to warm themselves in the cold.
Eowyn, from Marseille in southeastern France, selected a bowl of sliced noodles and said: "I like noodles like this. It's better than what you find in supermarkets. We feel his (noodle maker's) ardor and determination for the work when it's done."
Yuyuan Garden, located in the old section of Shanghai, has been holding annual lantern shows for centuries. Dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Yuyuan Garden Lantern Show has been hosted in the Yuyuan Tourist Mart since 1995.
A visitor cozies up for a photo with a deer lantern at the Yuyuan Garden Lantern Show in Paris on Jan 14, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Lanterns symbolizing a dragon usher in the Year of the Dragon on the Chinese lunar calendar. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
A boy touches a lantern during the Yuyuan Garden Lantern Show in Paris on Dec 14, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
