A concert celebrating the 10th anniversary of the German Burg Chinese Chorus was held on Saturday in the western German city of Essen, presenting an audio-visual extravaganza that blended Chinese and German cultures.
At the concert, the chorus performed 12 songs including "On Road" and "The Garden of Hanyangmen." The beautiful singing earned resounding applause from nearly 300 audience members at the scene.
"We wish to attract as many young Germans as possible to develop love for the Chinese language and Chinese songs, so as to further inspire their interest in the Chinese culture, because exploring and understanding different cultures are very important and can also help deepen their understanding of their own culture," said Olaf Millmann, chairman of Burg Chinese Chorus association.
The Burg Chinese Chorus is a non-profit organization, offering the "Learn Chinese by Singing" program for German youths. To foster people-to-people exchanges between China and Germany, the group has been actively engaging in strengthening the friendship between the two countries through language and cultural initiatives.
Over the past 10 years, the German chorus has paid ten visits to China. During its March visit to China, it held two concerts and its members visited central Chinese city of Wuhan, the country's capital city Beijing, and Chengdu--famous for giant pandas there.
"I started to learn Chinese three years ago. I traveled to China for the first time this year, and the experience was really cool. I had a lot of novel experiences during this China tour and I saw and learned lots of new things. I am really looking forward to the future development of our chorus and I hope I will learn more lovely Chinese songs in the future and contribute my efforts to the people-to-people exchange between Germany and China," said Sophie Ermantraut, a chorus member.
Ivan Pavlovic joined the chorus seven years ago and had studied in Chengdu for one year. Last summer, as a representative of international students, he was invited to return to China to run as a torchbearer at the opening ceremony of the Chengdu FISU World University Games.
"When I started to learn Chinese as a child, the chorus opened a gate for me to learn about a different culture. One of my biggest dreams for years is to work in China someday. Not just to maintain my bond with China through the chorus in Germany, but to really live there in the future," said Pavlovic.
Burg Chinese Chorus gives concert for 10th anniversary
Israeli troops expanded their operation in Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip, on Tuesday with tanks advancing towards the city center amid heavy gunfire.
Following hours of intense air and artillery bombardment of Rafah on Monday night, the Israeli ground offensive has forced tens of thousands of residents to flee.
"Based on the most recent information available, the Israeli armed forces have begun advancing towards the so-called 'red zone' in Rafah, which refers to the eastern neighborhoods near the city center. Eyewitnesses stated that the Israeli tanks entered the neighborhoods and engaged in clashes with armed personnel. At present, it remains uncertain whether these developments indicate the beginning of a full-scale Israeli offensive on Rafah," said Zhao Bing, a reporter from China Media Group (CMG).
"Although Israeli officials, including Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, had previously used terms such as targeted 'precision' actions to describe the Israeli military operations in Rafah, there are evident signs that the Israeli offensive is expanding. On Monday, the Israeli military announced that it had been attacking Hamas and other targets in the eastern parts of Rafah, particularly the border areas near Egypt. However, reports from Palestinian media indicated that Israeli forces carried out airstrikes and artillery shelling on dozens of residential buildings in the eastern neighborhoods of Rafah, leading to dozens of casualties and injuries," he said.
As Israel presses ahead with its military attacks in Gaza, the Egyptian government is considering downgrading its diplomatic relations with Israel, according to local media.
"The Israeli military operation has caused disapproval and concern in Egypt, which has refused to coordinate with Israel on the entry of aid supplies through the Rafah crossing. Local media, citing Egyptian officials, reported that Egypt is even considering downgrading its diplomatic relations with Israel," said Zhao.
"Regarding the Rafah crossing on the Gaza side currently occupied by the Israeli military, Israeli media reported on Monday, citing multiple sources, that Israel last week, through the United States, requested the Palestinian government to send personnel to work at the Rafah crossing. However, the Palestinian side declined. It is reported that Israel, under international pressure, hopes to reopen the Rafah crossing with the assistance of Palestinian entities unrelated to Hamas. However, as far-right officials within the Israeli government strongly oppose cooperating with Palestine, the country specified that the Palestinian personnel could not participate as representatives of the Palestinian government but only under the guise of the 'Local Aid Coordination Committee.' This decision has caused strong dissatisfaction among the Palestinians," he said.
On Tuesday night, an Israel Defense Forces spokesman issued a new "evacuation order" for multiple areas west of Jabalia in northern Gaza, requiring local people to evacuate to the west of Gaza City.
Israeli forces expand operation in Rafah
Israeli forces expand operation in Rafah
