Ambassador of Seychelles Philippe Le Gall gives a speech in Beijing. Photos Provided to China Daily
He
is an ambassador from Seychelles who has written a novel on a young
Chinese prince's path to Venice. The French-language book has been
translated into Chinese. Mei Jia finds out where Philippe Le Gall got
his inspiration.
When
he was a young man, he was influenced by Jerome K. Jerome's literary
sense of humor and by Cervantes' persistence in producing the epic Don
Quixote at the ripe old age of 58. He also appreciated the works of
Pearl S. Buck and Lao She.
But Philippe Le Gall became a career diplomat.
The
first resident ambassador of Seychelles in China finds writing sets him
apart from the other diplomats, who are more reticent about expressing
themselves in the printed word. Le Gall believes his writing stimulates
cultural exchanges that open doors and build bridges.
His
latest novel, just released in September, is a tale of a young Chinese
aristocrat. The Path to Venice: The Journey of Young Prince Houpili to
the West was originally written in French and then translated into
Chinese.
"We
say if you come to China for one week, you feel you can write a book;
for one month, an article; but for more than six months, you can pen
nothing," Le Gall says.
"I'd
like to prove that I still can, after being ambassador here for five
years, even with the full understanding of the complexity and richness
of Chinese culture."
Le
Gall was involved in establishing the first Seychellois embassy in
China in 2007 and has witnessed his country's growth as a holiday
destination for Chinese tourists. The Mao-suited diplomat calls it the
"Seychelles wave".
In 2011, Seychelles welcomed 2,000 Chinese tourists. This year, up to September, the figure has already doubled.
The
ambassador uses cultural exchange to raise the visibility of his
nation, "probably the nearest African country to China" - only four time
zones away.
He
has introduced honeymoon tours for young Chinese couples, held
Sino-Seychelles culture weeks and published a collection of essays and
short stories on comparative studies of the two countries' cultures.
Le
Gall paints a picture of an idyllic archipelago whose residents share
the Chinese ideals of harmony between man and nature, and respect for
ancestral values.
"Seychelles
and China share 36 years of exceptional friendship and cooperation. The
first Chinese to settle in Seychelles reached our shores 150 years
ago," he says.
"And the reasons why the first Chinese who landed in the 1860s decided to stay and be happy there are still valid today."
The ambassador says writing increases his understanding of China and also promotes his country to the world.
"China has been a global focus," he says.
"Through promoting Seychelles in China and via China, we're making our country go global, too."
Writing is also a way to break down restrictions, Le Gall adds.
"I
take it as a blessing as I have a duty of discretion as a diplomat.
But, as a fiction writer, I enjoy total freedom and independence to
express my thoughts," he says.
Scholar
and French-language translator Fan Haoyi says: "The ambassador is a
mature writer. His book of essays on the two countries' cultures has
wide influence. And his novel shows strong literary influence from
European classics and allows readers space for imagination."
Le Gall was born in France in 1954. Since childhood, China has fascinated him with its antiques and literature.
"Unlike
now, when China is being a key player in international affairs and
China stories appear more frequently in the news, I had limited access
as a young and eager reader," he says.
By the time he was 12, Le Gall knew he would write books one day.
He
first tested his literary skills 10 years ago in a competition
organized for countries in the southwest of the Indian Ocean. His work,
The King's Garden, was awarded best short story and the overall Indian
Ocean Award for the best entry in a competition, which covered novels,
short stories, poetry and theater.
He
has actually been in China several times since the late 1990s, and his
fascination has only increased in tandem with his accumulated knowledge.
"It
is not a dead or dying civilization but the only 5,000-year-old
civilization still standing on its feet and getting more and more
creative," he explains.
The
ambassador has many hobbies, all forged in China. He collects Chinese
paintings of cats exclusively - felines staring at birds, butterflies,
crickets, mice or bees.
"Cats are observers," he says.
"Like
them, I pay particular attention to the way China develops and faces
the numerous challenges related to development at such an unprecedented
and incredibly large scale.
"There
is such a sense of innovation nowadays in China that I feel privileged
to be an observer, knowing that China has gone global in such a way and
to such an extent that whatever happens here automatically has an impact
elsewhere."
Le
Gall says Beijing is one of the safest capitals and has a remarkable
cultural heritage and a vivid artistic life. "And this is quite
appreciated by expatriates," he says.
The
hutong-dwelling ambassador savors the classical and contemporary
culture here and says every detail reflects "the deeply culture-oriented
nature of the Chinese people and their love for a very poetical form of
beauty that combines harmony and balance, and a smooth and peaceful
relation to the passing of time".
Food is another delight.
Le
Gall collects honey from all parts of China. And he believes that
within a decade "the wine list of the most renowned restaurants in
Paris, Bordeaux and Lyon will dare to propose the finest Chinese
vintages".
"No need to add that I am a green tea drinker," he says.
"Maybe in another life I was a taxi driver in China, as I always carry my green tea container with me".
Speaking during the En Moman Avek Prezidan programme on SBC TV Sunday evening, Mr Michel said he shares the pride of a nation which has dared to dream and has realised that dream.
“Basically I grew up with my grandma because mum was away at the time,” he began.
