On November 20, the annual academic conference of the Académie des Beaux-Arts took place in the dome hall of the Institut de France. Xu Qingfeng, President of the Shandong University of Arts, was invited to attend the meeting. He engaged in academic discussions with Laurent Petitgirard, the Permanent Secretary and Member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts, Didier Bernheim, the Corresponding Member and Representative for Chinese Affairs of the Académie des Beaux-Arts and President of the Jean Cardot Foundation, and Eliane Chen, Member of the Jean Cardot Foundation and Executive Chair of the Sino-French Association for Art and Science Development.
Xu Qingfeng reflected on the close exchanges and collaborations between the Shandong University of Arts and the Académie des Beaux-Arts, and introduced the itinerary for his visit to Paris. He emphasized the unique appeal of France in the minds of artists worldwide, noting that the country has been home to many philosophers, writers, and artists of global influence, providing inspiration for humanity. He remarked that 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, presenting an opportunity for Shandong University of Arts to strengthen its ties with the Académie des Beaux-Arts, deepen mutual understanding, enhance artistic exchanges and creativity, and promote the shared development of Chinese and French culture and arts.
Attending scholars also held discussions on the theme of "How to Deeply Analyze the Essence of the Spiritual Identity of Chinese Civilization," a focus of the Shandong University of Arts’ research project The Artistic Presentation and Dissemination of the Spiritual Identity of Chinese Civilization. They provided targeted opinions and suggestions, expressing mutual enthusiasm for further cooperation. Both parties hope to leverage their strengths and resources to achieve mutual benefits and cultivate art talents capable of adapting to new trends and competing on an international level.
After the discussion, Xu Qingfeng presented a piece of artwork, inspired by the Académie des Beaux-Arts, as a gift to the Institut de France.