The "Cross" Years of Culture of Russia and China are Now Open

2024-2025 are declared the Years of Culture, meaning Cross-Cultural Relations, between the two partner nations to mark the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and China. The occasion was a “gala concert” held at the State Bolshoi Theater in Beijing. Here’re photos from two parts of the performance:

Special seats complete with refreshments for the honored guests:

Prior to the performance the two heads-of-state made a short speech related to the event’s theme—expanding people-to-people contacts and expanding cultural exchange so the Russian and Chinese people get to know each other better to end Otherness and usher in Comradery:

Xi Jinping Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, good evening!

I am very happy to join you at the opening ceremony of the Year of Culture of China and Russia, a concert in honor of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Last year, President Putin and I agreed to declare 2024-2025 the years of culture of China and Russia. I am confident that the series of colorful events that starts today will serve as an additional impetus for the development of centuries-old Chinese-Russian friendship and strengthening mutual understanding between our peoples.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia. The vast path that we have traveled – a path that is three-quarters of a century long-convinces us that the continuous strengthening and development of the Russian-Chinese eternal good-neighborliness, comprehensive strategic cooperation, and mutually beneficial cooperation meets the fundamental interests of our countries and peoples and corresponds to the trends of the world community and the times. Relations between China and Russia are unchanged, and their importance cannot be overemphasized.

As one of the good traditions of cultural and humanitarian ties between China and Russia, thematic years represent a characteristic feature and a prominent moment in the annals of bilateral relations and are very popular among the peoples of our countries. The ninth cross-cultural year organized by the two countries includes a variety of interesting humanitarian exchange events that allow us to tap into the potential of bilateral cooperation in the field of culture and open up new horizons for cultural and humanitarian ties between China and Russia.

Music unites the hearts of like-minded people. In Chinese culture, it is traditionally perceived as a language of friendship, as a means to express feelings and emotions. And the musical culture of Russia has a rich and ancient history, has a huge attraction. Folk music of China and Russia always occupies a worthy place in the blooming garden of world civilization.

Today, on this stage, wonderful artists of the State Orchestra of Folk Music of China and the Osipov Orchestra of Russia [National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Russia named after N. P. Osipov] jointly perform not only well-known Russian melodies in China, including "Moscow Evenings" and "Katyusha", but also fragments of unique Chinese music with an oriental twist. by color: "The Fisherman's Evening Song", "The flowers are beautiful and the moon is full".

Without a doubt, today's musical event will leave a bright mark on the history of cultural exchange between China and Russia.

As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries during the years of culture, let us strengthen our traditional friendship, move forward together, fill the comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation in the new era with new content, and hand in hand open a new remarkable chapter in the annals of friendship between China and Russia.

Thank you for your attention.

Vladimir Putin: Dear President Xi Jinping, Dear friend! Ladies and gentlemen,

Of course, I agree with President Xi Jinping: 75 years of diplomatic relations is an important anniversary for our countries. Let me remind you that the Soviet Union was the first state to recognize the People's Republic of China – right on the day after the announcement of the new state.

Our country also provided large-scale assistance at the initial stage of the formation of the new Chinese state, helped strengthen its independence and sovereignty. We are certainly happy that the Chinese people, under the leadership of the Communist Party, were able to achieve such impressive achievements in the development of their country. Fill your ancient civilization with powerful life energy.

75 years is a short time by the standards of the centuries-old history of Russia and China, but during this period of time we were able to achieve serious results, accumulate invaluable experience of close, good-neighborly cooperation, which absorbed joint successes and achievements, as well as important historical lessons.

Please excuse me for talking for a long time, I didn't give an interpreter, I just feel at home, so I decided that everyone here already speaks Russian.

(Applause.)

Let me continue. The main thing that has always remained unchanged is the tradition of Russian-Chinese friendship, which has stood the test of time and continues to strengthen for the benefit of the peoples of our two countries. We can be justly proud of the fact that Russian-Chinese relations have now reached the highest level in history and have acquired the character of a truly comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction.

They serve as a model of cooperation between neighboring countries based on mutual consideration of interests, respect and trust in each other.

What is especially important, the Russian-Chinese partnership is constantly developing, improving, diversifying through new formats and areas, and expanding its regulatory and legal framework.

It is very symbolic that such a large-scale joint project as the years of culture of Russia and China is timed to coincide with the anniversary of Russian-Chinese relations. The program of the "cross" years is very extensive: it includes tours of metropolitan and regional theaters, circus and film festivals, museum and library exhibitions and forums, cultural and art fairs, and sports competitions.

I would like to emphasize that the program also includes an all-China competition for Russian language proficiency. I am sure that all these events will cause a lively response in China. Indeed, the names of Pushkin, Gogol, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Tchaikovsky, and Rachmaninoff are widely known in China.

The Chairman of the People's Republic of China recalled popular Soviet songs today: "Moscow region evenings", "Katyusha". But I know that there will be other tunes. By the way, I have often heard our Chinese friends sing these well-known and popular tunes with inspiration not only in our country, but also in China.

In turn, in Russia, interest in Chinese culture is manifested not only in the use of Chinese motifs in decor, architecture, passion for the Chinese language, tea ceremonies, the art of making porcelain or, say, wushu. The popularity of modern Chinese cinema, paintings, and books by Chinese authors is growing.

The proposed program is not limited to Moscow and St. Petersburg, Beijing and Shanghai. It covers a significant number of cities and regions of the two countries. This means that many people will get to know each other and be involved in mutual communication.

We were just talking about musical melodies and songs. But the events are dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. In the famous song of that time, 75 years ago, it is often performed in our time, there is a phrase that has become popular: "Russian and Chinese are brothers forever." I am sure that it is in this brotherly spirit that we will continue to strengthen the harmonious Russian-Chinese partnership.

We will continue to act in unison for the sake of successful development of the two countries, prosperity of the two peoples, and increasing the authority and influence of Russia and China in the world. Our cooperation has unlimited opportunities and prospects. We are able to overcome any obstacles and solve the most ambitious tasks.

I wish success to all the planned events and thank you for your attention. [My Emphasis]

My interpretation of Putin’s “interpreter” remark was his way of saying he feels at home and at ease surrounded by friends. Yes, when you’ve read many similar speeches, the words seem like boiler plate repetitions, so the challenge is always to insert something new to make it original in that manner.

At the end of his write-up at his substack, Simplicius provided three video clips I urge readers to watch, particularly Putin reciting the song mentioned in the transcript but omitted from it. IMO, there’s a genuineness to the warmth displayed between Xi and Putin not seen in their greetings to others as shown in the following photo.

And now it’s off to Harbin for the events that happened today.

*
*
*
Like what you’ve been reading at Karlof1’s Substack? Then please consider subscribing and choosing to make a monthly/yearly pledge to enable my efforts in this challenging realm. Thank You!