Frenchman revisits Jinan to preserve history, strengthen friendship

After a visit five months ago, Frenchman Marcus Detrez returned to Jinan, capital of Shandong province, on Aug 11 with two friends to continue his journey of preserving history and fostering friendship.

In 2021, Detrez came across a collection of photographs taken by his grandfather, Roger-Pierre Laurens, which documented wartime atrocities committed by Japanese soldiers during China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). He donated 618 photos from the collection to China at the Chinese Embassy in Paris on Aug 4, 2025.

During his visit to Jinan, Detrez attended the unveiling ceremony of a digital exhibition at the Shandong Digital Culture Group. The exhibition, which included the photos he donated, explores China's struggles and resilience during the war.

Marcus Detrez and his friends visit the Cai Gongshi Memorial Hall in Jinan. [Photo/Qilu Evening News]

"We should use history as a mirror," Detrez said. 

"My grandfather didn't want these scenes to be forgotten. With digital technology, they can travel farther," he added.

Detrez also plans to publish a book featuring selected photos and the stories behind them.

The group visited the Cai Gongshi Memorial Hall, where Detrez paid his respects to the diplomat whose life was taken in 1928, when Japanese troops massacred more than 6,000 Chinese soldiers and civilians in Jinan.

They also stopped by the city's iconic Black Tiger Spring, where they tasted the refreshing water. Detrez took time to engage with local residents, posing for photos and exchanging a few words in Chinese. "Coming to Shandong feels like returning home," he shared.

Detrez's journey in China will continue as he remains committed to preserving the history that must never be forgotten and sharing China's history, culture, and developments with the world.

(chinadaily.com.cn)