It's been a year of both reminiscence and discovery, for China
and its northern neighbor, Russia. The historical bond has been
fortified, largely through art and music.
It's always exciting to make friends from afar. And when Russia
set up a cultural feast for China, it stirred profound feelings in
the hearts of two generations.
Rarely can another country be such an emotional trigger. But
exchange between the two nations goes way back. China came to know,
and idolize Russia through the Bolshoi ballet, Gorky novels, and
masterful oil paintings. And this year's comprehensive display of
Russian culture has made cross-border ties still more secure.
The mention, alone, of The Bolshoi stirs images of magnificent
operas and ballets. To open The Year of Russia in China, the
world-famous troupe held their biggest show ever on foreign
soil.
And many more quality shows followed, with the running theme of
"Classic Forever, Heritage and Development": From theatrical
offerings like "For Every Wise Man, There's Enough Simplicity" and
"Petty Bourgeois", to Shostakovich's 1928 opera "The Nose". Chinese
actors look up to Russian theater, and have made their own bold
steps, doing full justice to the country's classics.
For the 100th anniversary of the birth of Shostakovich, the
Beijing Music Festival dedicated an entire series to the composer.
The Mariinsky Orchestra, Russia's oldest and most prestigious,
played the Festival Overture at the opening ceremony.
And passionate, heavy rock from Flowers, picked up the
pulse.
Be it striking or subtle, "Three Hundred Years of Russian Art"
made a lasting impression. The exhibition extended the influence of
contemporary Russian painting, on Chinese artists. And those who
read "How the Steel was Tempered", as children, found new
dimensions to Russian literature, at the Beijing Book Fair.
Offerings from the country's best-selling authors and poets, shared
the shelves with the classics.
All in all, the events provide a panoramic view of Russian
culture to a very wide audience. Tickets are priced affordably,
encouraging everyone to participate. A remarkable 25 million people
have taken part in Russia-year activities.
Understanding comes first, in building friendship. And that's
what the knowledge contest is all about. Students from 30 colleges
were tested in Russian literature, and language, once the second
tongue of the Chinese nation.
Old-time brotherhood has evolved into strategic partnership in
the 21st century. But no matter the context, the bond of friendship
holds firm.
(CCTV.com November 9, 2006)