Music without border: SCO Member States Arts Festival opens in Beijing
Musicians from China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan play traditional Chinese music Jubilant at a concert in Beijing, May 30, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]
The Poly Theater in downtown Beijing was packed with audience for a folk music concert held by ensembles from SCO member countries on Wednesday night. Musicians from China, Russia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan took audience members on a splendid and diversified musical tour with masterpiece traditional melodies of their countries.
The 70-minute concert, hosted by the Chinese Culture and Tourism Ministry, opened a two-day SCO Member States Arts Festival to celebrate the upcoming SCO summit in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province, in June.
Chinese Culture and Tourism Minister Luo Shugang said at the opening that the arts festival is an important platform to display excellent cultures of SCO countries, as well as to enhance friendship and exchanges among people in these countries.[page]
Musicians play Chinese folk music Jubilant at the folk music concert of SCO Member States Arts Festival in Beijing, May 30, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]
The concert rang a familiar and festive melody among Chinese attendees at the very beginning, as all musicians played the famed Chinese music piece Jubilant. The cheerful and brisk rhythm immediately struck a chord with the 1,000-some audience members.
The concert's repertoire then diversified with state-level orchestras from China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Uzbekistan each playing representative tracks from their own nations.
The concert convened Kyrgyzstan "Akak" Ensemble, Uzbekistan National Music Group "Sato", The Forbidden City Chamber Orchestra of China Conservatory of Music, and Lyudmila Zykina State Academic Ensemble of Russian Folk Music "Russia".[page]
Visitors look at images of cultural heritages of SCO member countries displayed on the sidelines of the concert, May 30, 2018. [Photo by Li Ping/Chinaculture.org]
The SCO Member States Arts Festival also features a photo exhibition of cultural heritages of SCO countries - which is being held at the Poly Theater, and a joint performance by folk dance troupes of SCO countries - expected to be staged at Beijing Dance Academy on Friday night.
The arts festival will conclude on June 1.[page]
Kyrgyzstan "Akak" Ensemble plays traditional music of the country. [Photo/Xinhua][page]
All musicians play Russian folk music Kalinka at the end of the concert. [Photo/Xinhua]
Editor: John Li