The Chinese capital celebrated Russian Maslenitsa.
At the Beijing Exhibition Center, visitors were introduced to traditional Russian cuisine, with pancakes being the most popular, and they also presented an entertainment program with folk songs and dances.
“The idea of holding the event was born last year.
After we successfully held the Turetsky Choir concert here, we realized that the Chinese public accepts Russian artists and Russian culture very well,” RIA Novosti quotes Yulia Kapranova, head of the secretariat of the Russian-Chinese Committee for Friendship, Peace and Development, as saying.
At the Maslenitsa festival, the Moscow Cossack Choir and “Krinitsa” ensembles performed, and there was also a master class on the art of sabrage - opening champagne with a Cossack saber.
Russian Maslenitsa was widely celebrated in Beijing for the first time
In addition, traditional Russian souvenirs were presented at fairs in Beijing and Xi'an - toys, boxes, scarves, dolls, which, as Kapranova noted, "the Chinese are actively interested in."
As Boris Titov, chairman of the Russian part of the Russian-Chinese Committee for Friendship, Peace and Development, told TASS, about 2 thousand guests took part in the Maslenitsa celebration in Xi'an alone.
“This time, the Chinese celebrated Russian Maslenitsa on the pedestrian street, Jiujian Zhonghe Square, beloved by Xi’an residents.
The four-hour program attracted about 2 thousand guests and included performances by the Moscow Cossack Choir, circus performers and artists of the original genre, as well as a large fair of Russian souvenirs and sweets,” Titov noted.
Let us recall that in January, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on holding cross Years of Culture between Russia and China in 2024 and 2025.
A number of bilateral events in the field of cultural exchange between countries have already been planned for this period.
Maslenitsa holiday in China
© RUPTLY
“This will include festivals, exhibitions, performances by Russian artists and other events.
The Cross Years of Culture between Russia and China represent a significant period during which both our peoples have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the richness of traditions, art and cultural heritage of each other,” explained Boris Titov.
Thus, in February, the Chinese New Year was widely celebrated in Moscow for the first time.
As part of this event, Muscovites had the opportunity to visit a calligraphy studio and traditional theater performances, take part in a Chinese tea ceremony and appreciate the national dishes of the Asian power.
The celebration of Maslenitsa in the People's Republic of China became a reciprocal event.
Celebrating Chinese New Year in Moscow
RIA News
© Ramil Sitdikov
“We were thinking about what holiday to celebrate together, and since our Chinese colleagues were already making large-scale preparations for the Spring Festival (Chunjie, Chinese New Year) in Moscow, we decided to hold Maslenitsa in Beijing,” said the head of the secretariat of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Committee.
In turn, the chairman of the committee from the Chinese side, Xia Baolong, in an address to the event participants, noted that Maslenitsa “is not only the heritage and development of traditional culture, but also a way to feel the warmth and strength that it carries.”
Maslenitsa celebration in Beijing
© RUPTLY
He expressed hope that this year, contacts and cooperation between China and Russia will expand, and the friendship between the two peoples will strengthen and deepen.
“Let's work together to create a wonderful future for our countries,” said the chairman of the committee.
He added that China and the Russian Federation “are not only good neighbors, but also sincere friends and reliable partners.”
“Under the strategic leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership has entered a new era, demonstrating healthy and stable growth,” Xia Baolong said.