Chinese Culture and Art Festival “On the Shores of Lake Baikal” Was Held at INRTU

The Chinese Culture and Art Festival “On the Shores of Lake Baikal” was held at Irkutsk National Research Technical University (INRTU). Organized by the university with the support of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Irkutsk, the event became a vibrant occasion for students and staff of Irkutsk universities, where Chinese students study. The program included Tai Chi Quan workouts, tea ceremonies, master classes, and screenings of Chinese film classics.

INRTU Rector Mikhail Korniakov highlighted the event’s significance:

“The Chinese Culture Festival has been held at our university for several years now and is an important event for us. The university's mission is not limited to training qualified specialists; we also strive to develop cultural and interpersonal communication between our countries. Such a celebration is a crucial step in strengthening intercultural ties and broadening understanding of the rich and diverse Chinese culture, passed down through generations”.

The festival opening began with a Tai Chi Quan session. This Chinese martial art, also known as a health-improving gymnastics, aims to harmonize physical and mental well-being.

This was followed by the official opening of an art fair in the university's main hall, accompanied by a performance from the Folk club of ethnic percussion “Ethnobit studio”. At the various booths, students could try on traditional Chinese clothing and accessories, take photos, and participate in master classes on making bamboo sticks, calligraphy, cutting figurines for Shadow Theater, and painting masks in the style of Chinese opera.

The tea ceremony booth drew particular attention. Visitors sampled jasmine green tea, white tea, and the popular Lapsang Souchong variety. The contest lineup was equally engaging, featuring wooden arrow throwing and a concentration game wh ere participants raced to move “gold ingots” from one bowl to another one using chopsticks.

Polina Ilina, a student from the Baikal School of BRICS, felt the master classes were well-organized:

The festival program also included a lecture by Professor Ren Guangxuan from Peking University titled “China's Intangible Cultural Heritage”. He also presented travel opportunities for those wishing to visit China.

The festival concluded with a gala concert featuring students from Irkutsk universities. The folk ensemble of the Russian song “Kalina” from INRTU performed on stage, and the Baikal Wushu League presented a vibrant acrobatic performance.

Irkutsk State University student Polina Konovalova performed a musical piece in three languages (Russian, English, and Chinese) showcasing the richness of cultural traditions. Lecturers from Henan Polytechnic University prepared a musical surprise. Chao Ze, Deputy Director of the School of Music, performed a traditional Chinese piece, adding a special atmosphere to the creative meeting.

Musical performances featuring the pipa, a traditional Chinese four-stringed instrument known as the "Chinese lute," captured the audience's interest. The pipa first appeared in China during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386–534 AD). The instrument's name is thought to originate from the sounds made by the plucking techniques – “pi” (downward) and “pa” (upward).

Xu Jun and Elizaveta Gauchenova, a teacher from the Confucius Institute, delighted the audience with virtuoso piano playing and heartfelt love songs.

The headliner of the evening was the Chinese band “Ice House”, founded in 2007 by the singer Ba Bin in Lijiang. The band actively tours throughout China's provinces, Europe and Asia, and gives concerts in Australia. The Concerts in 100 Cities and 100 Universities project enjoys a great success. During their overseas tours the Chinese musicians have organized 2000 shows for three million listeners. During the final songs, the band members invited the audience to join them on stage, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere that brought the friendly and heartfelt evening to a close.