This year's Croisements festival will be held from May to July. Highlights include the exhibition From Monet to Soulages: Paths of Modern Western Painting (1805-1975), the dance production Seeds, the theater play 2666 and the recital performances by French actress Isabelle Huppert. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The festival has designated five Chinese brand ambassadors for the Croisements events. They include musician Cui Jian, dancer Wang Yabin, sculptor Sui Jianguo, film director Jia Zhangke and illustrator Lu Ming.

Lu will participate in a graphic novel festival in June, in which Chinese and French artists will conduct workshops and show their works. He says the activities will introduce to Chinese readers the idea that comics are not just a pastime for children, but also an art form requiring creativity and the arrangement of scenarios.

Contact the writer at linqi@chinadaily.com.cn