Romantic France

Author: Jia Gan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: Long ago—ah, how long has it been since then—when human thought first took flight, the breeze of knowledge dispelled the mists of confusion, adventure and exploration crossed mountain barriers, and people gazed afar, only to find that world civilizations were like a galaxy spanning the sky, brilliant and dazzling. Looking further, the vast expanse seemed boundless, and upon closer attention, its depth became even more unfathomable. Stars twinkled brilliantly, small stars glowed faintly, shining in harmony, ever-changing in an instant. Among them, the most radiant and well-known perhaps lies the French civilization. Today, as humanity enters a new century, both China and France are committed to strengthening exchanges between different cultures. Faced with the global wave of cultural imperialism and the pervasive cultural colonialism and arrogant hegemonic mentality, neither the Chinese nor the French can passively accept or resist. We all deeply love our motherland, we all have cultures worth being proud of, we all hope the world is diverse and colorful, believing that what belongs to a nation also belongs to the world. Of course, we should understand and support each other even more. We can also know that in this world, loving one's own motherland and striving tirelessly to protect the cultural traditions of one's own nation means we are not alone in our path! For this reason, and also out of a touch of overconfidence, we have presented these thin volumes before you. They belong to the same series——《Explore France》series of books. The books may introduce French history, customs, and traditions, or depict the vibrant life of foreign streets, expressing the sentiments of travelers. Though fleeting glimpses, they can vaguely outline the scenery of a foreign land, allowing readers to benefit from each page and slightly feel the traces of the evolution of French civilization. It is also a good thing.
Sincere thanks to every friend who contributed. We thank Zhang Yan from Nanjing University for providing the French materials. Without their support, everything would be unimaginable. A single spark can start a fire when gathered in a bundle—among those we should thank, no one should be missed. As ordinary people, we are willing to use our small efforts to help more people in China understand France and appreciate French culture. We also hope that in this bustling world, with the freshness of culture, we can wash away some purity and cultivate half a patch of tender green. In the distant future, perhaps, we can preserve a touch of emotion and a bit of hope. After all, culture embodies a sentiment that has remained unchanged through the ages. In this regard, there is no difference between the first individual in the past world and the last individual in the future world!