Sound of Friendship: Classical Music from China and Russia

Ambassador Borodavkin,
Ambassador Ma,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

晚上好 [wănshang hao]. Добрый вечер [Dobriy vyecher]. Good evening. It is my distinct pleasure to join you today for this concert, which promises to be truly memorable. As Chief of the United Nations Office at Geneva Library, it is my pleasure to deliver this message from Director-General Michael Møller, who very much regrets he cannot be here with us this evening.

“I would like to express my most sincere thanks to the Permanent Missions of the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation for making this evening possible. Your collaboration not only reflects the strong bonds of friendship between your respective States, but your vital contributions to global collaboration. Of course, a special thank you to tonight’s performers – the Harbin Symphony Orchestra and the Ural Philharmonic Orchestra – who will perform Chinese and Russian classics.

As well-travelled participants in many cultural exchanges, these orchestras embody the greatest asset of their respective host cities: an openness to the outside world. The flow of people and goods through Harbin in the early 20th century made it a cosmopolitan hub and the gateway for western classical music in China. In 2010, the United Nations recognized Harbin’s passion for the high arts when it named it a ‘Music City’. For its part, Yekaterinburg’s location on the historic divide between Europe and Asia has also fostered cultural exchange. Since 2011, it has nurtured this asset by hosting the International Eurasia Music Festival, a vibrant exploration of the musical influences between East and West, North and South.

In an era marked by calls for retrenchment and isolation from globalization, Harbin and Yekaterinburg show us that our cities can blossom if they engage with the world. Openness and exchange helped these two cities find their niche after de-industrialization, transforming them into attractive destinations for creators and innovators. With six out of ten people set to be urban dwellers by 2030, cities will increasingly play a vital role in development. Member States recognized the importance of urban development during the recent Habitat III conference in Quito, Ecuador, urging cities to exchange best practices and collaborate on the great issues of our time.

Tonight’s concert will show what cooperation and openness can produce. I hope this spirit will continue to guide us as we work together to build a brighter future. 谢谢你们 [Xìe xìe nĭmen]. Спасибо вам всем [Spasibo vam vsem]. Thank you very much.