Paris 1730-1930 : A Taste for China

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> 8 May 2008

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> 12 June 2008

Paris 1730 - 1930: A Taste for China

Some of us may have visited the Musée Guimet in Paris (a national museum specializing in works from Asia including China, India, Korea, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Japan), home of one of the largest collections of Asian art and civilization in the West. Many of us may still have yet to find time for a chance to visit. Today, thanks to the organizers, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Musée Guimet, the Consulate General of France, and the Hong Kong Museum of Art, we are presented with the opportunity in Hong Kong to see some of the collections related to China, at Paris 1730 - 1930: A Taste for China. This is especially good news to those of us who are seasoned collectors.

What is more, the exhibition promises to help us appreciate Chinese aesthetics through the eyes of Parisians centuries ago, by presenting the museum pieces in the settings of reconstructed Parisian locales. We can try to imagine, and perhaps begin to understand, the French sentiments and admirations, of years ago, and of objects from far-away China, where it was probably peaceful and harmonious enough to nurture such masterpieces.

We are convinced that cultural exchange programmes such as this will improve inter-racial understanding, and ultimately lead to world peace. So for years we have been supporting and sponsoring cultural exchange programmes, including such meaningful event as Le French May. This year, again, we are very happy to be part of this exhibition of Sino-French cultural connection. We also appreciate the generosity of the French people, for their willingness to share these priceless treasures. The reminder of the past French "Taste for China", we hope, will also refresh the age-old friendship, and reinforce the already-strong cultural bond, between the French and the Chinese peoples. After all, in peace and harmony, we are one world.

Paul Kan
Chair of Champion Technology Group, A Better Tomorrow, and
Chinese World Cultural Heritage Foundation.

華采巴黎1730－1930：中國精神‧法國品味

位於巴黎的吉美國立亞洲藝術博物館乃專門收藏亞洲國家（包括中國、印度、韓國、柬埔寨、越南及日本）藝術品的法國國立博物館，是西方擁有最豐富亞洲文物及藝術收藏的博物館之一。無論大家過往曾否參觀該館，今天，承香港康樂及文化事務署、法國吉美國立亞洲藝術博物館、法國駐香港總領事館、及香港藝術館協力籌辦「華采巴黎1730－1930：中國精神‧法國品味」展覽會，我們得以在香港一睹該館部份有關中國藝術的珍藏品。對於我等酷愛收藏者而言，更實在是雀躍喜訊。

是次展覽將重現當時巴黎文化界的一些場景，讓我們從幾百年前巴黎人的角度，鑑賞中國美學。我們可以嘗試想像，以至開始體會昔日的法國情懷及審美，以及他們如何讚嘆那些遠道從中國祥和之地孕育出來的藝術傑作。

我們深信國際文化交流活動可增進民族之間的了解，幫助世界和平。因此，我們多年以來一直支持及贊助文化交流活動，包括「法國五月」項目。今年，我們很高興能再次參與是項有助中法文化交流的展覽；我們也非常感謝法國人民的慷慨，願意與我們分享這些無價珍寶。衷心希望「華采巴黎」展覽會能進一步閃亮中法之間歷史悠久的友誼，加固彼此間深厚的文化聯繫。在一片和平與祥和中，我們畢竟是同一世界。

簡文樂
「冠軍科技集團」、「更好明天」及
「中華世界文化遺產保護基金」主席