Sino-Russian: Roots of friendship grow deeper

Source: CCTV.com | 03-27-2007 17:16

Monday was the start of the“Year of China in Russia" an event to help promote Chinese culture in China's northern neighbor. This follows "The Year of Russia in China" that was help through 2006 it was one packed with of reminiscence and discovery for all Chinese.

It's always exciting to make friends from afar. And when Russia set up a cultural feast for China last year, it stirred up profound feelings.

Rarely can another country be such an emotional trigger. But exchange between the two nations goes way back. China came to know Russia through the Bolshoi ballet, Gorky novels, and masterful oil paintings. And this year's comprehensive display of Russian culture 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.

Many more quality shows followed, with the theme of "Classic Forever, Heritage and Development." There were 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 taken 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. Russia's oldest and most prestigious orchestra, the Mariinsky, played the Festival Overture at the opening ceremony.

And passionate, heavy rock from Flowers picked up the pulse.

Be it striking or subtle, "300 Years of Russian Art" made a lasting impression. The exhibition brought contemporary Russian painting to Chinese artists.

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 shelf space with the classics.

And a knowledge contest brought home the idea that understanding helps build friendship. Chinese students were tested on Russia's literature and language, once so widespread in China.

In October, the first large-scale academic exchange between the two countries put Russian educational achievements under the spotlight. 30 Russian universities participated in the event. The flagship symposium paved the way for future educational exchanges. And an Exchange Center for Chinese and Russian students will open soon at Dalian Foreign Language University.

All in all, the events provided a panoramic view of Russian culture. A remarkable 25 million people have taken part in Russia Year activities.

The brotherhood of old has evolved into a strategic partnership in the 21st century. But no matter the context, the friendship holds firm.

Editor:Du Xiaodan