Conversation and Connection Concerts in Stockholm

June 10 marks the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. This year’s theme is “Music Connects the World”. China Cultural Center in Stockholm has meticulously planned a series of diverse and brilliant themed events, including special concerts, outdoor shows, and pop-up performances. Audiences witnessed collaborative performances by Chinese and Swedish musicians, joint stage appearances by youth from both countries, and enthusiastic interactions between Chinese and Swedish people. Let’s take a look at these dazzling moments together!

Conversation and Connection

Chinese and Swedish Youth Gala

In Kungsträdgården at the center of Stockholm, artists from Liping County, Qiandongnan Prefecture, Guizhou Province, dressed in traditional costumes adorned with exquisite embroidery, captivated the audience with the lively lusheng dance and the harmonious, moving melodies of the Grand Song of the Dong ethnic group, showcasing the unique charm of Dong culture. The Swedish pop classic Mamma Mia! was reinterpreted using traditional Dong instruments, creating a dynamic and innovative cross-cultural musical dialogue. The Sound of China: Twenty-Four Solar Terms Ensemble performed Never Polar Night, a piece that seamlessly blended traditional Chinese folk instruments with the piano, integrating Western romance and elegance with Eastern mystery and tenderness. Swedish erhu player Dejan Buvac performed Love of Concubine Zhong, while renowned Swedish singer Deborah Edin sang the Chinese song Big Fish. The event also featured a mashup of Peking Opera and Bel Canto in When Drunken Concubine Meets Schuber, fusing the charm of Eastern and Western art forms. The brilliant performances drew enthusiastic applause and responses from thousands of spectators.

Let’s have fun and transcend language barriers with dance and music.

The vibrant ethnic rhythms from Guizhou attracted an excited audience.

The musical conversation between China and Sweden resounds with a powerful truth: Who says Chinese folk music resonates only with Chinese ears? Music is, after all, a universal language.

The performance by Chinese and Swedish youth embodies the essence of “Conversation and Connection”, where collaboration and friendship illuminate the stage.

Conversation and Connection

Chinese Folk Music Concert

At Kulturhuset Stadsteatern in Stockholm, Chinese and Swedish professional musicians shared the stage in the “Conversation and Connection” folk music concert, igniting sparks of cultural exchange between East and West. The Central Conservatory of Music presented classic folk pieces such as Dance of the Golden Snake and Evening Song of the Fishing Boat”, introducing Swedish audiences to the distinctive sounds of Chinese folk instruments while showcasing the beauty of diverse musical styles. Swedish Peking Opera actor Timothy Pilotti performed the classic excerpt Blocking the Horse from The Generals of the Yang Family, stunning the audience with his highly demanding martial arts moves. The concert reached its climax when Swedish pianist John Nalan joined Chinese folk musicians to perform Swedish Rhapsody by renowned Swedish composer Hugo Alfvén. Transcending language barriers through music, they conveyed emotions common to all humanity. Conversation is initiated to express unique characteristics while seeking harmony. Connection is forged through mutual understanding and integration through conversation, building bridges with music, our hearts resonating in profound harmony.

The Sino-Swedish collaborative performance stands as living proof that music transcends all boundaries. Whether interpreting timeless Chinese folk melodies or Swedish folk classics, the artists harmonize flawlessly—their shared language of rhythm and emotion bridging cultures in perfect unison.

When Swedish artist meets Peking Opera—China’s quintessential art form—their breathtaking fusion has ignited waves of thunderous applause.