As China-Russia economic and diplomatic ties advance, their cultural bond flourishes with ballet, theatre and music
- Next year, China and Russia mark 75 years of bilateral ties and 2024-25 have been designated Russian-Chinese Years of Culture
- Amid flurry of performances in China, Russia looks to be seen in a positive light in the face of Western condemnation over the Ukraine invasion: analysts
As the Russian musical Anna Karenina is set to be staged in Shanghai and Beijing this month, theatre director Alina Chevik hopes to see how it can connect the two peoples at a time when Russian artists have been shunned in Western markets.
This year, the two countries have also repeatedly stressed the importance of boosting people-to-people exchanges ahead of the 75th anniversary of bilateral ties next year. Further, they have deemed 2024-25 as Russian-Chinese Years of Culture, with a view to putting on more events.
Analysts said this push for cultural exchange acknowledged how cultural diplomacy helped public opinion and perceptions that might show Russia in a more positive light in China.
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Chevik sees up close how the two cultures interact as she tours Russian players in China. She also has experience directing Chinese performers on the production’s Chinese version.
“Working with Chinese actors was very interesting,” she said. “The way the actors were able to feel Russian history, the character of Russian people, suggests that art has no boundaries, a good story will be interesting and understandable to people of different cultures and nationalities.”
