The ceremony is a real event. For the occasion, French footballer Kylian Mbappé and Chinese diver Zhang Jianpi were present in Beauval. They sponsor the two baby pandas baptized Huanlili and Yuandudu, this November 18.
It’s the big day for the baby pandas at Beauval Zoo! Born on August 2, 2021, the name of the two giant pandas has just been revealed on November 18 during a ceremony that began at 5 p.m. at Beauval Park: Huanlili and Yuandudu. Godfather and godmother of the two pandas twins, French footballer Kylian Mbappé and Chinese diving champion Zhang Jiaqi will be on site.
A godmother and a godfather of choice
Cotton flower and Little snow, the provisional names of the two baby pandas born in Beauval last August, have been baptized. One hundred days after their birth, as Chinese tradition dictates, they received their real names. Yuandudu and Huanlili were selected. For the occasion, two internationally recognized champions are committed to sponsor the two twins : Kylian Mbappé and Zhang Jiaqi.
The latter, recently gold medalist at the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games in 10m synchronized diving, has always been passionate about pandas. At 17, the Chinese diver already has 3 world titles to her credit. Precocity records that Kylian Mbappé is also familiar with. The French footballer champion of the world is no longer to present for his talents with a round ball, but his attachment to animals is less well known.
The giant panda twins, surrounded by their godfather and godmother! 🐼 #zoodebeauval @KMbappe pic.twitter.com/SPR3qQhNlE
– ZooParc de Beauval (@zoobeauval) November 18, 2021
Names chosen by Internet users
Giant pandas belong to China. This is why, traditionally, the Chinese first lady named pandas. This time, for the first time, the names will be chosen differently. China proposed 5 duos of names which were put to the vote of Internet users on Beauval ZooParc website.
These 5 propositions are Chinese sounding and have a symbolic meaning. Anfu and Anqi “embody the wishes of happiness and good health“. Yuandudu and Huanlili”evoke the wish for healthy growth for babies and symbolize the deep ties between China and France“. Huanxi and Huanle”express the extremely strong attachment of the Chinese and the French towards the giant pandas“. Huanxin and Huanyan symbolize”happiness” and “appetite for life“. And finally, Hehuan and Yuanying”refer to a flower, the other to the moon. Together they mean happiness and the wishes of flourishing health for babies.“
Votes have been stopped since November 2 but, until the official ceremony, the names chosen by Internet users have not filtered. In keeping with Chinese tradition, the protocol of the “Names Ceremony” is very strict. Impossible, for example, to see the two baby stars before the start of the ceremony. Everything is in place to make it a real event. As stated by the president of the park Philippe Delord at the microphone of Bfm tv : “We hope, through this ceremony and this event, to make Chinese people aware of the protection of the environment and biodiversity. “
A “double symbol”
In the end, Huanlili and Yuandudu were chosen. The name duo garnered 43% approval from nearly 122,000 voters. Petite neige is named Yuandudu with Kylian Mbappé as godfather while Zhang Jiaqi is godmother of Fleur de coton, now Huanlili. These names are taken from those of their parents, Huan Huan and Yuan Zi.
“It really is a huge pleasure and a huge pride. It’s important to be here for the preservation of animals“, reacted Kylian Mbappé during the ceremony. The president of ZooParc de Beauval, Philippe Delord, underlined the”double symbol“what are the two baby pandas”both friendship between France and China, and also endangered species.“