Interview with Christian Henriot in the Shanghai Liberation Daily (解放日报) on the T’ou Sè Wè figurines

In its weekend edition of November 28, 2014, the Liberation Daily (解放日报), the most widely circulated newspaper in Shanghai (one million copies daily), published a long interview with Christian Henriot on the collection of wood figurines Ivan Macaux and Christian Henriot brought to light though a book and an exhibition due to open soon at the Musée des Tissus et Musée des Arts décoratifs).

The meeting, which resulted in this interview by Ms. Gu Xuewen, editor of the culture section of Jiefang Ribao, took place on the wake of the workshop “The ships of friendship between France and China” (中法 友谊 之 舟) co-organized by the Lyons Institute of East Asian Studies (IAO) and the Institute of History (SASS) on September 25, 2014 as part of the events held for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and China. During the workshop, Christian Henriot presented a paper on “War, navy and wooden figures: Admiral Jules Bigot in Shanghai.” Several newspapers and TV stations were present at the event (see interview in English here).

Entitled “76 years ago, the mystery of 109 Chinese figurines awaiting explanation” (76年前， 109个中国木偶的待解之谜), the paper introduces to the story of the rediscovery of this unique collection of carved-wood figurines produced at the Jesuit T’ou Sè Wè Orphanage (土山湾孤儿院) during the Sino-Japanese war. The collection was offered to Admiral Jules le Bigot in acknowledgement for his decisive action to protect the Xujiahui (Zikawei) area against Japanese encroachment during and after the acute phase of fighting in August-November 1937.

The paper also mentions that the collection of figures will be on public display for the first time since their rediscovery at a special exhibition in Lyon (actually at the Musée des Tissus et Musée des Arts décoratifs).

To download the original article (Chinese) in pdf format, click on the link below:
土山湾_解放日报