A Russian Children’s Art Troupe Visits China

n September 20， a group of 25 lovely blond children walked out of the airport. They were members of the “Chance” Art Troupe from Russia planning to visit Beijing and Shijiazhuang and perform at various events.

They were to appear at the reception celebrating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia and the founding of the China-Russia Friendship Association （CRFA）， as well as on 2014 China National Science Popularization Day and at the 2nd China-Russia Children’s Friendship Night.

There have been frequent such visits to Chinese and Russian art festivals since 2006， when the CPAFFC and its Russian partners alternately started to exchange children’s art troupes to participate in the Tianjin International Children’s Culture and Art Festival and the Open Europe International Children’s Art Festival in Moscow， and co-hosted the First China-Russia Children’s Friendship Night.

This year sees the 65th anniversary of China-Russia diplomatic relations and also the foundation of the CRFA. The CPAFFC and the CRFA hosted a grand reception in the Great Hall of the People on September 23 to mark these anniversaries. To highlight the theme of lasting China-Russia friendship， the organizers specially invited the Russian Chance Children’s Art Troupe， award winner of the Open Europe International Children’s Art Festival， and the China Children’s Art Troupe to perform.

Familiar songs such as Moscow Nights， Kalinka and Little Swallow evoked beautiful memories among those present. The harmonious singing by the children of the two countries symbolized the passing on of China-Russia friendship to a new generation.

On the afternoon of September 21， the Troupe performed at the China Science and Technology Museum， adding color to the activity of the 2014 China National Science Popularization Day.

The 2nd China-Russia Children’s Friendship Night hosted by the CRFA was held at the Russian Culture Centre in Beijing on the evening of September 22. Over a hundred Chinese and Russian children， including offspring of Russian diplomats in China and pupils of the Elementary School Affiliated to the Russian Embassy， watched a show put on by the Russian Children’s Art Troupe.

Embassy staff said the show of mainly of traditional Russian songs and dances was a good way to introduce the Russian art and culture and enhanced Chinese people’s understanding and their friendly sentiments towards Russia.

The art troupe arrived in Shijia-

zhuang， capital of Hebei Province， on September 24. The members visited the Shijiazhuang Foreign Languages School and interacted with teachers and students， gaining a deep understanding of the school’s philosophy for all-round development.

Later， they took part in the Charm of Autumn—China-Russia Youth Friendship Exchange Show hosted by the school and performed with the school’s symphony orchestra， Chinese orchestra and chorus， and martial arts team. At their farewell， they exchanged gifts and contact information with students of the school with whom profound friendship had already been established.

On the following day， the art troupe visited the Hebei Zhengding National Table Tennis Training Base， where they observed a training session， talked with the young trainees and learned about China’s special training techniques.