In December 7th to 12th, 2015, "The 4th Seminar of Chinese-French Cultural Management Professionals" was held successfully in the Overseas Exchange Center at Peking University. The event was hosted by the School of Arts Peking University and National Center for Research into Intercultural Communication of Arts, and was supported by the Bureau for External Cultural Relations of the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China and the French Embassy. Officials and experts from Foreign Culture Liaison Office of Ministry of Culture, School of Arts Peking University and French Embassy attended the opening and closing ceremony.
The participants discussed profoundly on themes related to Chinese and French theaters and theater management, which provided valuable reference for Chinese theater development and management model in the future. The representatives from France are Ms. Courtney Geraghty, Director of Development Department of France Wasteland Troupe, Ms. Catherine Lefeuvre, vice president of Limages National School of Drama Art Center and vice president of Vatican City Theatre and Mr. Emmanuel Braconnier, general director of the "Amazing Tourist" Art Festival. The three experts are senior professional managers with rich practical experience in theater management and operation. Representatives from Chinese cultural organizations were senior professionals and officials nationwide.
During the discussion, French representatives introduced and analyzed French cultural policy, theater situation, creation of cross-disciplinary art works, and copyrights and marketing related issues in a detailed way. Representatives from China put forward their views on real-life cases in China and France. This exchange provided not only valuable experiences for the development of Chinese theater and troupe management, but also constructive comments for French theater and troupe management and operation.
During the event, French experts visited China National Music Orchestra, China's National Grand Theater, National Ballet of China and other cultural institutions and organizations, carried out wide-ranging exchanges between the two countries on many aspects such as management models, performance contents, producing and arts markets. They also researched briefly on the ecological environment of Chinese performing arts market. Chinese representatives watched drama Good morning, Mom at the Centennial Hall of Peking University in the evening of December 8, 2015. This drama was produced by the Institute of Film, Television and Theatre of Peking University. Professor Chen Xuguang, the associate dean of the School of Arts, Peking University, has worked as the executive producer of the play; Mr. Tian Qinxin, the director of the National Theatre of China held the position of art producer. After watching the drama, experts commented highly on the storyline, the stage effects and many other elements. Some of them believed this drama revealed many social problems, was very educational, and hoped the play would be tour performed around the country. They also indicated that this drama could provide creative inspiration and reference to other Chinese theaters and troupes in many ways. They hoped that students and staff in Peking University could produce more excellent works in the future.
Although the time for communication is limited, the results are remarkable. There are many differences between China and France in economic environment, technology environment, legal environment, or social and cultural environment. Event like this can provide opportunities for representatives from both nations to exchange ideas, to burst out innovative sparkles and to make essential influences in development of cultural management in both countries. Along the growing of cultural communication between China and France, both countries gradually deepen their understanding of each other while achieving mutual benefit in cultural development.