From reading Dream of the Red Chamber as a teen to filling his Swiss home with Chinese art, former ambassador Dominique Dreyer has spent decades bridging East and West. 🏮 His story? A masterclass in cultural diplomacy.
Dreyer, Switzerland’s ambassador to China from 2000–2004, first encountered Chinese philosophy through the classic novel at age 12. 📚 \"It shaped how I saw China’s worldview,\" he says. Today, his residence features hand-carved furniture, ink paintings, and a prized collection of snuff bottles gathered during his 16 years in the country.
Retiring in 2008 didn’t slow his passion. The diplomat now practices calligraphy daily, creating works like his favorite maxim: \"Correct mistakes quickly, never forget what you’ve learned.\" ✨ His advice for young global citizens? \"Engage deeply—stories like Red Chamber remind us how much we share.\"
