Concert program of the Chinese Culture and Art Festival at INRTU: Ancient Instruments and Martial Arts
The opening ceremony of the Chinese Culture and Art Festival "On the Shores of Baikal" was held at INRTU to strengthen Chinese-Russian friendship. The festival makes a unique opportunity for the Irkutsk Region residents and students to get deeper insight into the world of Chinese culture with its richness and diversity.
The program was opened on October 12 by the Beijing Naval Choir lead singer Wu Ching Wu. The anthems of Russia and China were played.
Vladimir Smirnov, INRTU Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs emphasized that the Festival became a true celebration for the University students and teachers:
"I am really impressed by how the University has been transformed. Chinese culture has become an integral part of Irkutsk residents and universities".
Ms. Lin Fang, PRC Consul for Science and Technology in Irkutsk, expressed gratitude to INRTU for taking care of Chinese students who study at the University:
"The creative festival is an important platform to learn more about China."
According to Elena Apanovich, the Irkutsk Region Deputy Minister of Education, the Festival created a special atmosphere at INRTU.
"The today's event is bound to increase the Chinese culture-awareness with students and schoolchildren. We have the highest opinion of the University which serves to develop such interesting projects. INRTU contributes greatly to the strengthening of friendship between peoples, and is particularly good at finding extraordinary solutions," said the deputy minister.
According to Ivan Kurza, senior specialist of the Irkutsk representative office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, 2024-2025 are scheduled as the joint years of Russia’s and China’s culture:
"INRTU is one of the regional leaders to get international agenda with China. The Festival is exactly perfect for the development of cross-cultural communication”.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia in Irkutsk expresses the hope that high-level collaboration between INRTU and China will further allow both sides to reach new strategic values in culture, education and science".
Konstantin Shikin, an INRTU alumnus and the first deputy of the Irkutsk regional branch of the interregional public organization "Russian-Chinese Friendship Society", called the Festival a landmark event:
"Culture and art are the international language that everyone can understand, they create long-term collaboration. I don't believe in friendship between nations - but I do believe in friendship between people. Such festivals give rise to friendly contacts, ideas and projects".
Konstantin Shikin invited INRTU students to take part in the youth section of the annual forum held jointly by the regional branch of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society and partners from Harbin.
INRTU Vice-Rector for International Affairs Stepan Bykov thanked the Chinese partners for their help in organizing the Festival. He said that many of the exhibits displayed at the University were not easy to bring from China. The original works were provided to INRTU by Henan University of Technology, Hunansheng Songdan Hanzi Art Museum, Jinan Academy of Art, and many others.
In his address to Russian students, Stepan Bykov advised them to get actively engaged in interaction with China's youth, participate in academic exchanges, and study Chinese.
INRTU Russian song ensemble "Kalina" performed for the Festival participants, as well as a duet of Kang Sungao and Qian Xudong, Chinese students of Baikal School of BRICS.
This year Russian students of BRICS visited a number of cities in China, including the summer camp in JiaoDzu. They expressed their impressions of the trip in a dance with taiji elements (a type of wushu).
INRTU students also visited Henan University of Technology. The University Rector sent a video message to the participants of the Festival. The Chinese university exchange students and post graduates performed on stage.
Wu Wanxuan, a BRICS student, masterly performed the Combat Universe item.
Nyu Wen Hao, the Irkutsk State University student performing the White Horse composition, revealed himself as a true folk instrument virtuoso. The piece written by an Inner Mongolia musician celebrates the beauty of a white horse galloping freely across the wide steppes.
Quite special was the second part of the concert - the Songs of Clouds and Water. The audience was introduced to the art of playing ancient Chinese instruments - guqin and xiao flute. As musicologists note, the ensemble of these instruments combines the guqin elegance and the dongxiao durability: "The music points and lines match perfectly, just like a heaven-made couple."
Following musicians also performed on INRTU stage: Shen Yingbiao (Director of China Dongxiao Education Base), Chen Chengbo (Founder of Tai Yin Guqin Club), Chen Chengbo (President of Hangzhou Taiqin Society) and Wei Wei (Ph.D. in Chinese traditional music aesthetics, Associate Professor of Guqin Performance Department, School of Music, Nanjing Institute of Arts).
The flute part was performed by Jiang Weiqiang, a Ph.D. in music education, a first-degree national performer, and Head of the Department of Contemporary Music at Shandong University of Arts. Besides, Jiang Weiqiang is the Bamboo Flute Society Head of the Chinese Musicians Association.
REFERENCE: INRTU has been actively engaged with China in scientific and educational field. Over the last 10 years the number of Chinese students has increased by as much as 4.5 times, cooperation agreements have been signed with more than 50 partners from China. Currently, there are 382 Chinese students studying at INRTU.
Photo by Arseniy Chekmaryov
