Intl forum discusses role of peony flowers in cultural exchange and mutual understanding

Heze has built overseas peony gardens in Bulgaria, Serbia and Thailand, while Bulgaria's roses and Nepal's alpine rhododendrons will soon be introduced in the city, according to the forum.

"In Russia, the peony, a symbol of wealth, prosperity and splendor, is also one of the most beloved and widely cultivated flowers. I actually grow 28 different varieties of peony in my garden," Tatiana Bakurova, principal of Oryol State First High School in Russia, said.

Through the peony, her school began cultural and educational cooperation with Heze, enriching campus life with joint exchange activities.

"Through exquisite decorations and artworks of peonies, we have been able to engage closely with Chinese culture and broaden our horizons," Bakurova said.

From the perspective of cultural communication, Dario Famularo, an Italian sinologist at Sichuan International Studies University, described how the peony has traversed time and oceans to become a bond between China and the West. 

"Learning to understand each other through appreciating flowers is a good example, as every communication needs to start from a common ground. The peony can serve as a gateway to cultural exchange, leading us into art history, botanical history and even the history of philosophy," he said.

Scholars also shared their perspectives on the global promotion of peony culture.

With its layered, flowing petals and warm, elegant colors, the peony reflects the core Chinese philosophy of "harmony in diversity and shared beauty", while also resonating with the global pursuit of peace, beauty, and inclusiveness, Zhou Wuzhong, professor at the School of Design of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, said.

Zhou suggested retaining the flower's natural, flowing petal forms and its quintessential charm, while simplifying lines and optimizing color schemes in design to suit global young audiences.