British photographer Lijiang launches: Promoting Cross border Cultural Exchange through Photography | Yunnan | Cultural Exchange
"I have been pursuing the goal of using photography to promote mutual recognition and understanding between different countries and cultures," said British photographer Mike Freeman in an interview with China News Agency on June 3.
On that day, Mike Freeman's personal photography exhibition "Yunnan under the lens, reluctant Lijiang" was held in Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, showcasing more than 30 photography works taken by Mike over the years in various parts of Yunnan. In his over 50 year career in photography, Mike has traveled around the world and contributed to multiple international magazine publishers. He has published over 150 books and sold nearly 5 million copies in total.
In 2008, Mike began exploring and filming the Tea Horse Trail in China. After the publication of his book "The Tea Horse Road" in 2011, he continued to study and film the tea horse road. "Lijiang is an important node on the Tea Horse Ancient Road, and its scenery, culture, and cuisine deeply attract me." Mike said, hoping that through his works, people can understand Lijiang's diverse culture and unique charm.
Tang Xinhua, Chairman of the Lijiang Photographers Association, believes that this exhibition is not only a display of photography art, but also a cultural exchange and collision. "Through the lens of Mike Freeman, we can understand Yunnan in the eyes of British artists, hoping to deepen people's understanding of Yunnan and promote communication and interaction between different cultures through this exhibition." Tang Xinhua said.
Lijiang City is located on the southeastern edge of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau and the northwest Yunnan Plateau, and is an important passage for the Southern Silk Road and the Tea Horse Ancient Road. The Dongba culture, Bimo culture, Biantun culture, and Mosuo style here are unique and attract tourists from all over the world year-round.