French martial arts enthusiasts practice traditional Chinese Qigong breathing techniques at Fanjing Mountain in Tongren City, southwestern Guizhou Province, China, April 13, 2024 (Xinhua News Agency/Wu Si)
Guiyang, April 23 (Xinhua) – Before returning to France, Hana Akot, 27, sang a love song at a roadside concert held in Guiyang, the capital of southwestern China's Guizhou province. It was also her way of expressing her gratitude for the hospitality she received from the locals of Guiyang.
From April 7th to 19th, a team of about 50 French tourists visited Guizhou Province with their master Mr. Ke Wen, who founded the association “Les Temps du Corps” to promote Chinese culture in France. They experienced the local culture and practiced Tai Chi and Qi Gong. .
Inspired by her mother, who practiced traditional Chinese martial arts for several years and visited China four times, Akot embarked on her journey to China.
On the night of April 18th, the local band “Jiangzi” performed the famous songs of the Chinese rock band “Beyond” at a street concert, arousing the audience's nostalgia and wanting to sing along.
Unlike regular concerts, the roadside concert was mainly performed by local bands and music lovers, and many tourists and residents watched the performances in downtown areas and tourist spots.
During the break, when Akot appeared on stage to sing a love song, the audience erupted in loud applause and cheers.
“The band was great and the singers were very good, singing like musicians. And it was a good time for me because we tried to give them what they gave us. I did,” Akot said.
“Music is a universal language and has no boundaries,” she added. “Even if we didn’t speak the same language, we could understand the emotion behind the music and lyrics.”
Akot said that although he is interested in qigong, he has not been able to practice it very well. She learned from her mother and plans to practice more often once she returns home.
Like music, Chinese martial arts provide another bond that unites the peoples of both countries.
Francois Cullen, 64, has been practicing Tai Chi for over 20 years. He said that even though Currence had a natural tendency towards intense exercise, he fell in love with Taichi the first time he tried it. He runs a club in Brittany and teaches tai chi to 19 French people twice a week.
Mr. Currence emphasized that Taichi focused on harmony and the principle of living in harmony with nature, which taught him how to get along with himself and the world.
In France, there were few opportunities for martial arts enthusiasts to gather and perform Taichi. While in China, he practiced tai chi with locals in city squares and parks. After practice, he was invited to take a photo, which he said was “very empowering and moving.”
“I felt the genuine friendship and enthusiasm of Chinese martial arts fans. Taijiquan is the bridge of cultural exchange between us,” he said.
Frannois-Regis Hanard has traveled to China for work more than 10 times since the 1970s, and began practicing qigong several years ago. This time, he wanted to deepen his understanding of traditional Chinese culture, especially Qigong, so he chose to follow his teacher Ke Wen to Guizhou.
Over the past 50 years, Hannert has witnessed and experienced China's rapid development. “When he first got here, it seemed like he had to rebuild so much stuff, and now everything is really great,” he said.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, and is also the year of China-France culture and tourism.
Chinese and French martial arts enthusiasts practice Baduan Quan, a traditional exercise, in the ancient city of Qingyan in Guiyang City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Wu Si)
French tourist Hana Akot (1R) sings at a roadside concert in Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, southwest China, on April 18, 2024. (Xinhua/Wu Si)
(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
