On the morning of 19th September, after a day of seemingly endless rain that wasn’t enough to cool the ardor of the curators and their assistants in their last minutes picture hanging , always chaotic – a habit at Pingyao, the blue sky returned. The 16th edition of the Pingyao International Photography Festival could open in front of an audience of dignitaries ranging from party apparatchiks (from the province, from the canton, from the city) to eminent if not influential members of the Chinese National Photographers’ Association.
After the heroic trumpet piece from George Lucas’ “Star Wars” film, the host announced the name (mispronounced) of Jean-Pierre Laffont, the Festival’s “Star” climbed the red carpet covered steps, under the amused eye of Eliane Laffont, his faithful companion on his long march, and guided by a hostess dressed in a traditional, white cheongsam, slit on the model’s long legs, paired with white stiletto heels. In a strong, assured voice, Jean Pierre made his speech in English, worthy of a professional candidate in the American presidential elections.
