Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
At RUDN University, the New Year comes twice. On the eve of the Spring Festival, the university walls were filled with music, bright colors, and a festive buzz—this time in honor of the upcoming Year of the Horse according to the lunar calendar.
The gala concert "Prelude to the Spring Festival. The Whole World is Watching CMG" brought together distinguished guests, diplomats, students, and faculty at RUDN University's main building. Among them were Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to Russia Zhang Hanhui, Chairman of the Russian Section of the Russian-Chinese Committee for Friendship, Peace, and Development Boris Titov, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Konstantin Mogilevsky, Russian Foreign Ministry representative Anatoly Tsvyk, and heads of leading media outlets. Before the concert, guests had the opportunity to try their hand at the traditional game of touhu, assemble a "Luban Castle" puzzle, cut out jianzhi patterns, and write chunlian New Year's wishes during calligraphy classes.
Spring, which is always with us
Opening the ceremony, Shen Haixiong, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of China Media Group (CMG), addressed the guests via video link, noting the scale and global significance of the gala concert. The Chinese Ambassador then took the floor. Zhang Hanhui reiterated: The Spring Festival is not simply a change of calendar, but a symbol of renewal, family warmth, and hope.
"The idea of renewal and harmony embodied in the Spring Festival resonates remarkably well with the current stage of Chinese-Russian relations. As Russian President Vladimir Putin recently said, 'For Russian-Chinese relations, any time of year is spring.' Trade turnover between China and Russia has exceeded $200 billion for the third year in a row, and its structure is becoming increasingly balanced and stable. The Cross-Cultural Years have successfully concluded, visa-free travel has come into effect, and contacts between the people of our countries are becoming ever closer. On the international stage, we are strengthening coordination, jointly advancing the reform of the global governance system in the interests of greater justice and equality," said Zhang Hanhui.
RUDN University President Vladimir Filippov placed particular importance on the selection of the event's venue. The university, which currently hosts students from over 160 countries, has long been home to thousands of young people from China. The numbers speak for themselves.
"This year, we admitted a record number of students from China—1,506. Our total now stands at 2,564. Of these, 565 were admitted to state-funded places through a competition run by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. These are the best of the best," said Vladimir Filippov.
He also recalled that the course toward strengthening ties with the East was set by the Russian President back in 2000—and Vladimir Putin's first foreign visit as head of state took place to China.
"Back then, the course to the East had already been set. And today we see how this decision has become the foundation of a new architecture of international cooperation," said Vladimir Filippov.
The RUDN University President also discussed the objectives of the Years of Russian-Chinese Cooperation in Education.
"This period shouldn't simply be a series of one-off events. We need to create a system, a comprehensive framework that will continue to operate. We're already implementing 15 joint educational programs, and we have 90 agreements with Chinese universities. We're currently negotiating the creation of an international center based at RUDN University and Xi'an University within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization," said Vladimir Filippov.
Diplomacy and Education: A Common Route
Speaking on stage, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Konstantin Mogilevsky drew attention to a symbolic coincidence: this year, Chinese New Year coincided with Diplomatic Workers' Day.
"The strengthening of the Russia-China partnership is largely thanks to our foreign policy agencies. But education plays a key role in maintaining the achieved level of mutual understanding and passing it on to future generations," said Konstantin Mogilevsky.
Konstantin Ilyich also announced a rich program of cross-year education and thanked RUDN for making the concert one of the first events of the thematic two-year program. According to him, the events will cover educational, scientific, youth, and intercultural cooperation, as well as the promotion of Russian and Chinese language learning.
On behalf of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko, Second Secretary of the First Asian Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Anatoly Tsvyk, welcomed the guests. His congratulatory message emphasized the university's role in training personnel for bilateral relations.
"In the era of innovation, highly qualified specialists are in demand. They will be responsible for advancing Russian-Chinese strategic cooperation in the near future," says Anatoly Tsvyk.
Round dance and a memorable gift
However, "Prelude to the Spring Festival" wasn't just formal speeches, but a veritable kaleidoscope of cultures. The Russian National Ballet "Kostroma" swirled the audience with the dance "Bystrinochka," followed by students from Moscow's universities performing "Blue and White Porcelain"—as delicate as a porcelain cup and just as graceful.
The audience also witnessed a rapid-fire "mask" change performed by Sichuan Opera artists, heard the "Pinyin Alphabet Song" performed by students from Moscow School No. 548, and concluded the program with a dance number, "Festival," where RUDN students charged the audience with the energy and rhythm of African, Asian, Latin American, and Russian folk melodies.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of a gift by the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society. Artist Anna Donchenko, a student of the renowned artist Gu Daming, presented Wang Bin, head of the CMG Media Corporation's Eurasian Bureau, with her painting "A Horse Brings Good Luck." She completed the work right on stage, writing in hieroglyphs the phrase "A swift-footed steed gallops forward irresistibly."
Furthermore, the online Chinese language school "Media Plus" announced support for 15 subsidized study trips to Chongqing for RUDN University representatives. This year, university students will have even more opportunities to see China firsthand.
The Spring Festival at RUDN University has concluded, but its overture is just beginning. Ahead lies the live broadcast of the CMG Gala Concert on February 16th on VK, the screenings on Poklonnaya Hill on February 17th, and, most importantly, two cross-years that promise to be a time of true breakthroughs in education and friendship between the two countries.
As university president Vladimir Filippov noted, "A horse symbolizes energy and movement toward a goal. Let's wish each other to keep up the pace."
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