Arts can play an enormous role in bringing people together, a world-renowned Russian music conductor and opera company director said on the importance of cultural exchanges.
Russia and China have recently issued a joint statement, reaffirming their support for the diversity of culture and civilization. They also pledge to continue to promote cultural activities within the framework of "China-Russia Years of Culture," and deepen collaboration in areas such as art performances, exhibitions, and libraries.
One of the extraordinary figures in promoting Russia-China cultural exchanges is Russian maestro Valery Gergiev, who has led St. Petersburg's Mariinsky Orchestra to perform sold-out concerts at China's National Center for the Performing Arts and nurtured an endless stream of artists over the years.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in 2024, Gergiev spoke of the unique strength of music in bridging different cultures.
"The power of composers is to break the borders, so there are no borders. You can say 'no, this is European union, this is non-European union'. Music doesn't know this. Music doesn't understand border. The language we speak is also very powerful, goes across the borders. But music, more than anything else, doesn't need translation. It goes into your heart, it goes into your brain, but also into your emotional world. That's why nothing can destroy the power of music. And music unites, doesn't separate people, Brings them together. And this is what probably is needed today, even more than diplomacy, which I believe in," Gergiev said.
Renowned conductor highlights enormous role of arts in connecting people
