Jinan photo exhibition highlights friendship with Rennes

A photo exhibition highlighting the landscapes, culture, and shared memories of Jinan and its French sister city Rennes opened in Jinan on July 13, marking the 24th anniversary of the cities' friendship and promoting cultural exchanges between the two sides.

As part of the 2026 Jinan International Festival of Springs, the exhibition brings together works by photographers from China and France, using images to showcase the unique charm of the two water-inspired cities.

The friendship between Jinan and Rennes has continued to grow through cultural exchanges and people-to-people connections. Recent milestones include the opening of the Jinan Garden in Rennes in 2024 and the completion of a 600-square-meter sister-city garden in Jinan this year, further strengthening ties between the two cities.

Blaise Thierrée, president of the Confucius Institute of Brittany in Rennes, said photography is a universal language with the power to connect people beyond borders. He added that the exhibition provides an opportunity for photographers from Rennes to share the city's culture and scenery with Jinan residents, while giving more people in France the chance to learn about Jinan.

The exhibition features iconic sites in Jinan, including Baotu Spring, Daming Lake, and Mingshui Ancient Town, as well as Rennes' historic streets, countryside landscapes and the Jinan Garden in Rennes. It will remain open to the public at Baihuazhou Historical and Cultural Block, while Chinese and French photographers will also take part in themed photo tours around Jinan to capture new stories of friendship between the two cities.

Blaise Thierrée delivers remarks at the opening of the Jinan–Rennes photo exhibition. [Photo/WeChat account: Jinan International Communication Center]

International participants explore photographs showcasing scenes from Jinan and Rennes during the exhibition. [Photo/WeChat account: Jinan International Communication Center]