On January 29th, on the eighth day of the first lunar month of the Chinese New Year, the 20th round of the French Professional Football League First Division (French Football League) was held. The theme of this round of competition was set as “China Day” by the French league. Players wear jerseys with Chinese characters printed on them to play, and the Chinese elements visible everywhere on and off the pitch become the focus, adding a strong festive atmosphere to the game. On that day, the French football team AJ Auxerre played Montpellier at home.

Auxerre Football Club, together with the Chinese Embassy in France and the European Times Cultural Media Group, held a colorful celebration of the Spring Festival at the Abbe Deschamps Stadium, attracting tens of thousands of local people. Chinese Ambassador to France Lu Shaye, Public Counselor of Culture Yan Zhenquan, President of the French Association for the Value of Cultural Heritage Jean Pierre Escarfail, President of the Yona Provincial Council Patrick GendraUD, First Vice Governor of Yona Province Pauline Girardot, Mayor of Auxerre Crescent MARAULT, and other dignitaries, Zhang Xiaobei, President of the European Times Cultural Media Group, and Zhou Yunjie, Chinese investor of the Auxerre Club, attended the “China Day” event. More than 300 overseas Chinese living in Paris also arrived in Auxerre to watch the game and participate in celebrations.

▲ Ambassador Lu Shaye and guests took a group photo with the Dragon Lion Team in front of the exhibition stand. From left to right, they are: President Zhang Xiaobei, Public Counselor Yan Zhenquan, Executive Chairman MalHerb, Ambassador Lu Shaye, Vice Governor of Giraldo, Chairman Zhou Yunjie, Chairman Jean Droe, and Director Lasmarte. (Unless otherwise indicated, all pictures in this article were taken by Huang Guanjie, a journalist from the European Times.)

On that day, the Abbe Deschamps Stadium was a festive scene. Red lanterns were hung inside and outside the stadium, and spring couplets, Paper Cuttings characters and Chinese zodiac characters were pasted.

▲The electronic screen displays the French Chinese Year and the hare zodiac.

The China Tourism Office in Paris, the European Times Cultural Media Group, and the Asian Catering Federation have set up theme exhibition booths outside the stadium, including tourism, intangible cultural heritage, and food, to display traditional Chinese culture and promote tourism. Chinese cultural symbols such as the Terra Cotta Warriors, Tomatoes on sticks, the Chinese zodiac hare and panda, Chinese folk music performances such as zither and pipa, art displays such as tea art and calligraphy, and the French Chinese New Year and the Chinese zodiac hare patterns are also displayed on the big screen in the stadium.

▲ Ambassador Lu Shaye and guests visited the exhibition stand of the Asian Food and Beverage Federation.

▲ Ambassador Lu Shaye and others tasted sugar-coated haws on a stick.

▲ Ambassador Lu Shaye, accompanied by President Zhang Xiaobei, visited the European Book Exhibition Stand.

The electronic screen on the sidelines of the match ground scrolled through the broadcast of “Tigers Bid Farewell to the Old Year, Hares Leap into a New Journey. The Auxerre Club and the Chinese Embassy in France congratulate the fans and friends on their success in the 2023 Spring Festival!”, making the Abbe Deschamps Stadium be filled with elements such as “Spring Festival” and “New Year flavor”.

▲ The Chinese Spring Festival Federation were posted on the players’ entrance channel.

Before the start of the competition, the Chinese lion dance team who came from Paris on a special trip also brought a wonderful dragon and lion dance performance. Ambassador Lu Shaye, Chairman Jean Droe, Chairman Zhou Yunjie, and others made eye drops to wake up the lion. Lu Shaye and his party also watched the exhibition stand and wished everyone good wishes for the New Year.

▲ The dragon dance is at Abbe Deschamps Stadium.

▲ The lion dance is at the Auxerre Club.

Chairman Zhou Yunjie and Executive Chairman Baptiste NALHERBE of Auxerre Football Club presented Ambassador Lusano and his wife with club jerseys with their personal names on the pitch. The two jerseys are numbered 20 and 23, which means 2023 when combined together.

▲ Chairman Zhou Yunjie and Executive Chairman Malherb presented the jersey to Ambassador Lu Shaye. (Photographed by European Times reporter Ma Xingjian)

On the day of the match between Auxerre and Montpellier, Ambassador Lusano and President Jean Droe jointly kicked off the game and observed the game on the spot. During the halftime of the game, there was also a Chinese literary and artistic performance to congratulate the fans on the New Year. Despite the cold weather on the day, the atmosphere of the match was warm, and the stadium was filled with fans and spectators, constantly cheering for their favorite team.

▲ Ambassador Lusano and President Jean Droe jointly kicked off the game. (Photographed by European Times reporter Ma Xingjian)

▲ Fans from Paris.

In an interview, Lu Shaye stated that sports is also a kind of culture, and using culture to connect the people of China and France is the most effective link. In the current international context, it is even more important to strengthen cultural and emotional communication between countries and people to enhance friendly feelings.

▲ Ambassador Lu Shaye attended the “Happy Spring Festival China Day” event of the French league. (European Times reporter Owen)

▲ Ambassador Lu Shaye was interviewed on-site.

Jean Droe told reporters that he welcomed Ambassador Lusano’s visit. In 2016, the Chinese company ORG Group held a stake in the Auxerre Football Club, leading the team to return to the French league last year, becoming a model of Franco-China sports cooperation, promoting close cooperation between Yone Province and China in the field of sports. He looks forward to more cooperation with China in football talent cultivation, and welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and develop in Yona Province.

▲ Chinese greetings during the game.

In an interview, Chairman Zhou Yunjie stated that the Auxerre team is a team with a history of over 100 years and has achieved brilliant achievements. It has won one French league championship, four French Cup championships, and one UEFA International Toto Cup championship. However, after being demoted to France B in 2012, many difficulties were encountered. In 2016, Ortik Sports Co., Ltd., a subsidiary controlled by Ortik, completed its acquisition of control of Auxerre Club, and set multiple goals: first, to bring Auxerre back to French Football League. Second, let Chinese players have a foothold in the French league. Third, help clubs achieve financial self-sufficiency and seek to make profits. Fourth, promote sports cooperation and exchanges between China and France. Last year, we achieved the goal of upgrading to the French Football League, and our youth training work in cooperation with France has been very impressive. Now, the work of introducing Chinese players is also in full swing. The Spring Festival is our biggest festival. Through the Spring Festival, we can carry forward China's excellent culture and show our essence, which is of great significance for further promoting China France sports cooperation and promoting China France friendship. He thanked the Chinese Embassy in France and the European Times Cultural Media Group for their support, and wished everyone best wishes for the Spring Festival.

Marheber told reporters that he was very happy to hold a “China Day” during the Chinese New Year to celebrate the Chinese New Year in the form of sports competitions. The entry of Chinese enterprises has strengthened ties with the Chinese sports sector and contributed to the revitalization of Auxerre football. We will continue to promote industrial and technical cooperation with China, and strive to introduce Chinese players to the French league as soon as possible.

▲ Abbe Deschamps Stadium is full of Chinese elements.

In order to deepen the sports and cultural cooperation between China and France, with the active promotion of the Chinese Embassy in France, France has held a Chinese themed league day for three consecutive years since 2021, and the “Happy Spring Festival” activity has entered the French professional football competition. On January 29th, players of the French Bundesliga Paris Saint Germain football team also wore uniforms with Chinese names to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Hare.

▲ PSG players wear jerseys with Chinese names printed on them. (Photographed by European Times reporter Ma Xingjian)

▲ Players wear jerseys with Chinese names printed on them to play. (Photographed by European Times reporter Ma Xingjian)

(Reported by Huang Guanjie, European Times reporter, Auxerre)