Under the grand framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, a captivating story of people-to-people exchange between China and Kazakhstan, woven together through music, recently unfolded in Kazakhstan. Renowned Chinese Guzheng performer Hong Yue led a talented student Guzheng ensemble, including standout members like Zack Q, on a journey to Kazakhstan, where they successfully participated in the third Belt and Road Cultural Exchange Event in Kazakhstan. This visit was not only an artistic showcase but also a profound international dialogue, highlighting the professionalism and sense of mission of Chinese artists on the global stage.
As a diplomatic initiative of great political and cultural significance, the Belt and Road Initiative relies on in-depth exchanges and cooperation in the cultural sphere. Fully aware of the importance of this mission, Ms. Hong Yue meticulously prepared a detailed exchange plan prior to the trip. Grounded in the students’ practical needs, the visit was designed as a “mobile art class” and a “professional practice session,” aiming to allow the ensemble to personally experience the influence of Chinese culture on an international platform, strengthen cultural confidence, and refine their professional skills.
During the event, under Ms. Hong Yue’s expert guidance, the students carried out a series of fruitful cultural exchange activities. At the Almaty Museum of Musical Instruments, the teachers and students carefully studied Kazakhstan’s rich ethnic musical heritage. Ms. Hong Yue also used the museum’s collection to give an on-site lecture to students and local visitors on the evolution and artistic features of traditional Chinese instruments, offering a vivid comparative musicology lesson. At the Astana Opera House, a prestigious artistic venue, the teachers and students not only observed and learned but also engaged in in-depth discussions with local artists on the shared topic of contemporary preservation and innovation in traditional music. As a National Guzheng Examiner for the Social Art Grading Test under the Ministry of Culture, a member of the Chinese Musicians Association and the China Nationalities Orchestra Society, and a judge for international art festivals, Ms. Hong Yue drew on her solid expertise and cross-cultural communication skills to introduce Kazakhstan counterparts to China’s achievements in protecting, inheriting, and developing traditional music, sharing valuable Chinese experiences.
The third “Artistic Rhythm of the Silk Road, Bonding China and Kazakhstan” China-Kazakhstan Asia-Europe International Cultural Exchange Event was attended by Chinese delegates including Zheng Xiuli, Executive Director and Deputy Secretary-General of the Beijing Musical Instrument Association and Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the Performing Arts Professional Committee. Kazakh attendees included Mr. Wang Qingping, Director of the Chinese Cultural Center in Kazakhstan; Mr. Samalov, Chairman of the Artists’ Union of Astana City; managers of the Khabar 24 National TV and Radio Broadcasting Channel and the Khabar Channel; Mr. Halban, Dean of the Confucius Institute at Eurasian National University; Mr. Almas Alysbarov, Expert at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies; Mr. Duman Aman, Representative of the Ideal Path Cultural and Educational Friendship Association of Astana City; and Mr. Liu Shaohua, General Manager of Xinjiang Xingxin Yihai Culture Media Co., Ltd.
In their addresses, guests from both sides unanimously emphasized that people-to-people exchanges are a vital foundation for deepening bilateral relations, and cultural and artistic cooperation enhances mutual understanding and trust, injecting renewed vitality into collaboration across various fields. This exchange event not only showcased the unique charm of Chinese and Kazakh arts but also further realized the Belt and Road Initiative’s vision of “people-to-people connectivity.”
Looking ahead, China and Kazakhstan will continue to expand the breadth and depth of cultural exchanges, promote the implementation of more high-quality cultural projects, and jointly foster the contemporary prosperity and development of Silk Road culture.