Friendship Spanning Two Decades: Over 20 Years of Educational Collaboration

In 2001, Jinan Foreign Language School (JNFLS) established a sister-school relationship with Emile Zola Middle School in Rennes, France, a key component of the sister-city partnership between Jinan and Rennes. Bonded by language and culture, the two schools have sustained teacher and student exchanges for over two decades. Since introducing Chinese courses in 1979, Émile Zola Middle School has nurtured generations of students passionate about Chinese culture, while JNFLS has opened windows to France through its French language courses and cultural activities. Over 1,000 Chinese and French teachers and students have participated in exchanges, living in each other’s homes and participating in classes, weaving a tapestry of friendship through linguistic and cultural exchange.

On March 21, 2025, a 20-member delegation from Emile Zola Middle School arrived at Jinan West Railway Station, greeted warmly by JNFLS Vice Principal Wang Hongmei, along with faculty, host families, and students. Smiles and embraces marked the heartfelt start of this year’s exchange.

Cultural Immersion: Homestays Foster Warm Bonds

French students immersed themselves in local life through homestays with JNFLS families, savoring Shandong cuisine, learning to make dumplings, and exploring Jinan’s historical landmarks and modern museums. These interactions deepened their understanding of Chinese culture, while host families gained insights into French traditions.

Language and Art: A Fusion of Cultures

On the morning of March 24, after the flag-raising ceremony, students from the French delegation delivered speech in fluent Chinese, sharing their first impressions of Jinan. Their rendition of the classic folk song “Molihua” earned resounding applause.

During cultural workshops, French and Chinese students engaged in lively discussions about language learning and campus life. In a creative fashion show, French students showcased the diverse styles and customs of France’s multicultural society, offering Chinese peers a vibrant, real-world perspective.

French students treated their hosts to crepes, chocolate spreads, and Breton delicacies, sparking joy and mutual appreciation. Later, in a printmaking class led by teacher Xu Runhao, French students designed commemorative T-shirts featuring the Chinese zodiac sign of the Rat, blending traditional techniques with personal creativity.

Celebrating Friendship: A Welcome Ceremony

At the welcome ceremony, JNFLS Principal Lin Baolei highlighted the enduring significance of the two-decade partnership, while Emile Zola Vice Principal Mr. ARNAUD Franck expressed gratitude for Jinan’s hospitality and praised JNFLS’s dynamic educational environment.

Students then took the stage: Chinese performers delivered a French solo Light Ripple and a chorus Big Fish, while French students recited the Chinese poem Farewell to My retreat at Mount Zhongnan and sang bilingual songs, electrifying the audience.

Academic Exploration: Classrooms and Science

French visitors observed a geography class and a Chinese literature lesson. Afterward, they participated in a special activity organized by JNFLS’s students team, which centered on Jinan’s iconic springs. Combining cultural storytelling with hands-on experiments, the students vividly demonstrated the geological processes behind the formation of the city’s springs, showcasing both scientific principles and their deep local heritage.

Looking Ahead: A Future of Shared Stories

The delegation will further explore Shandong’s cultural heritage, ascending Qian Fo Mountain for panoramic views of Jinan, strolling by the bubbling Baotu Spring, boating on Daming Lake’s lotus-lined waters, and visiting Qufu, the birthplace of Confucianism, to reflect on the ancient wisdom: “How joyful it is to welcome friends from afar.”

Since the early 2000s, each exchange has enriched cross-cultural dialogue. From classrooms to homestays, art to science, Chinese and French students continue to nurture the seeds of friendship. As both schools expand collaboration, they pledge to keep the flame of cultural exchange alive, writing new chapters in the story of global understanding.