Alain Lombard, commissioner general of the French Culture Year, 48, graduate of the Ecole Nationale d' administration of France. Alain Lombard has been working in cultural department in France since 1980s. He has served as commissioner general of the French Culture Year from Oct 1st, 2000. Before the opening of the French Culture Year, Mr. Lombard received an exclusive interview from People's Daily.

Q: From 2003 to 2005, China and France will hold culture year in each other's country. The Chinese Culture Year has successfully concluded in this July and the French Culture Year is soon to open. Could you please introduce the plan of the French Culture Year?

A: The Chinese Culture Year has won success. The success is attributed to several reasons: the diversity of the culture year's theme, museum's generosity in providing exhibits, devotion of many partners, coverage of media and the French public's great interests in Chinese culture.

Dozens of foreign culture years have been staged in France since 1980s. However, France seldom organizes similar activities abroad. Holding such a huge culture year in China means a new experience for us. We are dedicated to bring about large-scale activities with diversified subjects, including about 200 exhibitions, which cover exhibition of French cultural relics, modern stage arts and achievements in science and technology. On Oct 10, two symbolic exhibitions, exhibition of French impressionists' works and "The Design d'en France" will open in Beijing. The latter one will display pioneering works of French industry of last century, for which some French museums have provided valuable original works. You can visit www.cfcy.org, the Chinese version of the French Culture Year for details.

Q: Have you ever considered how to make more Chinese audience see the exhibitions and shows because China has a vast territory with a huge population?

A: Making the French culture approach the Chinese public is the key to success. In this January, the Chinese New Year parade hosted at Champs Elysees in Paris attracted 700,000 to 800,000 French spectators. What an amazing success! We will arrange some large activities for example the Forbidden City Concert at the opening ceremony. By that time, many big screens will play the concert in Beijing and there will be live broadcasting on TV too. In April 2005, we will organize the "great lunch" whereby tens of thousands people will taste delicacies from France at the foot of the Great Wall. That will be a magnificent festival.

Second, the activities of the culture year are not staged in Beijing and Shanghai only. Other cities like Guangzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan and Shenzhen will see such activities. Last but maybe the most important; make full use of television, for TV is the media with most audience. Many important activities will be broadcasted on TV.

Q: Majority of Chinese people regard image of France as "romantic", because they get an impression from French literatures and movies that the French people understand enjoying life and love, they stress life taste and pay attention to art of life. Since China's opening up, a great deal of French fashionable dresses, cosmetics and other top grade consumption goods have flown into China and won favor of the public. When you paid a visit to the "strong country" forum of www. people.com.cn, the audience said your smile was very touching and romantic. You see, the word "romantic" is used again! "Romantic" is a commendatory word in the Chinese language. As far as I know, many French who have contacted with China from political circles to field of industry and trade consider the word one-sided. They even feel uneasy for the image. You said at a press conference "France should not be restricted by the out of date and narrow minded impression of "romantic". It seems Chinese and French have great difference in understanding of the word. However, the word can still be found in the culture year's theme "Putting people first and innovation", "romantic and innovation". What makes you confused with the "romantic image"? Do you want to change the impression?

A: France is indeed a romantic country. The word "romantic" means love, passion and passionate etc. We will not blush for the word. But it is too out of date and narrow minded if your define France with the word. France is not just romantic. It is a modern country, a country with advanced industry, agriculture, science and technology and education, a country that is full of vigor and creativity. We should consider enriching the image of France now that the Chinese public likes such an image. We hope the French Culture Year will make the Chinese to know France in an all-round way and feel the creativity of France.

One more thing I want to add, "romantic" and "romanticism" are different. "Romanticism" refers to a literature class that is different from the classicism of the 19th century. Impulse in politics, thoughts and personality inspired by the French Revolution gave birth to the romanticism. Writers like Hugo, Chateaubriand, Flaubert and George Sand are shining stars in that period.

Q: Hosting culture years in each other's country deepens understating of people and broadens visions in looking at the other country. You must have experienced this at your position as commissioner.

A: I personally like Chinese culture and have read a number of Chinese books such as the Water Margin, the Golden Lotus, the Dream of Red Mansion. In the past, China was a "mysterious" and "ancient" country for the French. They know little about modern China. Through the Chinese Culture Year, they have got a new impression on China. So I have same expectations for the French Culture Year.

The former French Minister of Cultural Affairs and writer Andre Malraux once said, "Culture is dialogue." In my understanding, dialogue is to advocate diversity of culture, promote dialogue between different cultures and civilizations. Being over conceited in culture won't work. Through cultural exchanges, we understand how to respect diversity and appreciate others. This is the basis for building a world with mutual trust.

In France, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in charge of cultural exchange, because France attaches importance to the role the cultural exchange plays in international relations, and "cultural diplomatism". As talking about France's foreign oriented cultural activities in a TV interview at this National Day, French President Chirac only mentioned one thing: the French Culture Year to take place in China.

To sum up, we hope to strengthen the partnership relations between China and France by the culture year, and push the bilateral cooperation.

By People's Daily Online