The closing ceremony for the China-Russia Years of Culture took place at the Tretyakov GalleryThe 2024-25 China-Russia Years of Culture closed on 17 November

The closing ceremony was held in the Vrubel Hall of the Tretyakov Gallery. State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Zhanna Alekseyeva and Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China Gao Zheng attended the event.

“The China-Russia Years of Culture have become an exciting chapter in the cultural relations between our countries and have elevated the entire spectrum of cultural and humanitarian cooperation to an unprecedented level. The events held have demonstrated that the demand for Russian culture in China and Chinese culture in Russia is growing, attracting the interest of an increasing number of young talents. By concluding this large-scale project we are not closing the book, but rather opening a new page in the history of our cultural links, and we look forward to continuing our cooperation,” emphasized Zhanna Alekseyeva in her welcoming speech for the guests of the event.

In response, Gao Zheng, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, noted: “Humanitarian exchanges are an important component of the comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation between China and Russia in the new era. President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin attach great importance to and provide all possible support for cultural exchanges and dialogue between China and Russia. As part of the Years of Culture, both sides have held hundreds of events and implemented a number of significant projects. Artistic companies are making exchange visits and joint productions, while museums and cultural institutions are extending cooperation by organizing large-scale exhibitions. Through joint efforts, the potential for cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries continues to increase.”

Following the ceremony, a concert of the Orchestra of the China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater under the baton of Yu Fan and the Ensemble of soloists of the Ossipov National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Russia was held. The program included vibrant pieces of Russian and Chinese music. The concert featured Luo Huifang, soloist of the National Orchestra of the National Opera and Dance Drama Theater of China (pipa), Guo Yu, soloist of the National Orchestra of the National Opera and Dance Drama Theater of China (tenor), Anna Aglatova, soloist of the Bolshoi Theater of Russia (soprano), and Viktor Olekhnovich, soloist of the Ossipov National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Russia (balalaika).

Also on this day, the Tretyakov Gallery opened the exhibition From Beijing to Moscow: A Dialogue of Cultures, introducing visitors to Chinese painting and calligraphy of the 14th – 19th centuries from the National Museum of China. The exhibition commemorates the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and China.

The China-Russia Years of Culture opened on 16 May, 2024, in Beijing, in the presence of the leaders of the two countries. A specially formed Russian-Chinese joint orchestra performed at the ceremony: the Russian Federation was represented by the Ossipov National Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Russia, conducted by Vladimir Andropov, and the People’s Republic of China by the Central Folk Instruments Orchestra of China, conducted by Li Xincao.

Throughout the two years of the China-Russia Years of Culture, the program was packed with numerous events aimed at further strengthening Russian-Chinese friendship and developing bilateral cultural projects. Key events included the Russian-Chinese Library Forum, the Russian-Chinese Culture and Art Fair, the Russian Culture Festival in China, and the Chinese Culture Festival in Russia. Leading Russian theater companies and orchestras, including the State Academic Bolshoi Theater of Russia, the State Academic Mariinsky Theater, the Vakhtangov State Academic Theater, the Russian National Orchestra, and others toured across China.

The Years of Culture took the practice of implementing exchange exhibition projects to a new level. Exhibitions from iconic Russian museums were held in China, including projects from the Moscow Kremlin Museums, the State Russian Museum, and the Russian Museum of Ethnography. In total, over 400 events representing all artistic disciplines took place as part of the China-Russia Years of Culture.

The event was organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Federal State Budgetary Cultural Institution ROSCONCERT.