A performance featuring fusion of opera and Chinese poetry has demonstrated the enduring power of art to transcend cultural barriers and connect with audiences across time and space.
The poetry, titled The Lantern Festival Night - to the tune of Green Jade Table, is a rare romantic work by Song Dynasty (AD 420-479) poet Xin Qiji. It depicts a search for a lost love amidst the vibrant atmosphere of the Lantern Festival.
The performance opens with a recitation by children, setting the stage for a powerful rendition by vocalists from the China National Opera And Dance Drama Theater.
The song is part of the international cultural exchange TV program "Harmony in Diversity", co-produced by China Media Group (CMG) and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The latest program was aired on the group's CCTV-1 channel on Feb 15.
Ancient Chinese poetry finds new voice through opera
Russia said on Saturday that its armed forces still hold control of the strategic city of Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region, but the claim was denied by the Ukrainian side. The Russian Ministry of Defense said in Saturday's report that Kupyansk is now under the control of its western group army.
Russian forces are also searching for Ukrainian soldiers hiding in various buildings and basements in Kupyansk, according to the report.
However, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine responded on the same day that the Ukrainian side still controls some of the residential areas in Kupyansk, and they have managed to besiege some of Russia's remnant troops. The battle in the urban area is still going on, it said.
Located by the river of Oskil, Kupyansk is an important stronghold for the Ukrainian forces as all supply lines of the Ukrainian army on the left bank of the Oskil River pass through the city.
Russian media believed that getting hold of Kupyansk allows Russian forces to continue advancing westward and open up a direct route from the south to Vovchansk.
Russia claims holding Kupyansk while Ukraine denies it
