Sanofi art exhibition of 'Life and Hope'

French healthcare giant donates work to children

Child patients at Shanghai Children's Medical Center were cheered at an artwork donation ceremony by healthcare giant Sanofi on Jan 22.

Including a five-minute animated film and three watercolor paintings, the artwork inspired by Noah's Ark is one of 10 artworks presented last November in Beijing at an exhibition entitled "Life and Hope: Sino-French Contemporary Art Exhibition".

It expresses a respect for life and the realization of hope, said Wu Junyong, creator of the piece.

Six child patients were invited to add color to animals in the artwork with Wu and created a new ark based on their imaginations. Chen Nan, culture vice consul for France in Shanghai, also attended the ceremony. "I feel positive energy when I look at these children laughing during the donation ceremony," said a patient's mother.

Jiang Fan, Party chief of the SCMC, said the artwork "is colorful and full of childlike happiness".

"The Noah's Ark story is about hope and life which is similar to what SCMC is providing," she said.

"We hope SCMC could become a Noah' Ark that helps children escape disease and enjoy happy childhoods."

Jean-Luc Lowinski, senior vice president of Sanofi Asia and president of Sanofi China, recalled "coming to the SCMC in 2013 together with Sanofi's board of directors".

"I was moved by the vibrancy of life and hope in the children's drawings in the hallway."

Lowinski said the 2013 visit was one of the important moments that inspired Sanofi to organize the Sino-French Contemporary Art Exhibition in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and China in 2014.

The art exhibition held at the French Institute in Beijing and Mao Space in Shanghai last year, presented 10 artworks created by five Chinese and five French artists.

"For the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and China, Sanofi teams of the two countries are happy to organize this art event with the theme of 'Health, Hope and Youth', a theme that is at the heart of our vision in China: Protect Life, Inspire Hope", he said.

Inspired by Sanofi's China vision, the works in different media encourage people to pay more attention to health and staying positive in life.

Also in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Sino-French diplomatic relations, Sanofi affirmed its commitment to economic development and public health in China.

As one of the commemoration's major sponsors, Sanofi organized and participated in numerous events throughout 2014 in addition to the art exhibition.

The celebrations, formally launched on Jan 27, 2014 in the Grand Palais in Paris, covered fields such as art, culture, healthcare and charity and allowed more people to understand Sanofi's vision and mission in China.

During the ninth Croisements Festival period, Sanofi supported celebrations in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu and invited many disadvantaged people to join the celebrations. Sanofi has supported the festival since 2011.

"During the festival period in 2013, I watched a famous French pantomime together with a group of deaf-mute students. I was very touched by their joy and excitement," said Lowinski. "I am extremely proud that we are continuing to support this festival again."

Sylvie-Agns Bermann, former ambassador of France to China, said organizers "appreciate the involvement of our long-time partner, Sanofi, who makes this year's Croisements Festival possible".

"As a French healthcare company, Sanofi is devoted to social responsibility programs, comforting people in both physical and psychological needs. Their social mission to empower life corresponds with the course of the Croisements Festival."

Sanofi, as a key sponsor, participated in various healthcare-related events in 2014 including the China-France Healthcare Forum last August that focused on strengthening institutional, medical, scientific and economic partnerships in the healthcare sector in the two countries.

The forum was attended by vice-chairman of standing committee of the National People's Congress and former Minister of Health Chen Zhu and Vice-Minister of Health, France Jean Debeaupuis.

A pioneer in chronic disease prevention and management, Sanofi participated in one of four roundtable discussions and shared its commitment to patient centricity and integrated care.

As one of the first multinational pharmaceutical companies to operate in China starting in the early 1980s, Sanofi has provided healthcare solutions for patients that expanded in pace with the country's development.

Sanofi launched its first integrated Asia-Pacific Research and Development Hub in Shanghai on Sept 25 last year, a move designed to accelerate the region's innovation capabilities and strengthen the local scientific network.

tangzhihao@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 01/29/2015 page7)