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The Beijing Elderly Peoples Art Troupe sent by the CPAFFC, made a performance tour of Russia from September 22 to 30, 2007. The performance tour was part of the activities held in celebration of the 58th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia within the framework of the China Year in Russia. It was jointly sponsored by the CPAFFC and the Russian Centre of International Scientific and Cultural Cooperation directly under the Russian Foreign Ministry and presented by the Beijing Elderly Peoples Art Association.

The art troupe gave three performances in Russia—the first at the Estrada Theatre in downtown Moscow on September 24, and a concert at the Officers Home Concert Hall on September 27 and a song and dance gala night at the Rimsky-Korsakov Theatre on September 28 in downtown St. Petersburg. Bai Shuxiang, leader of the troupe and vice president of the China-Russia Friendship Association, Galina Kulikova, first vice president of the Russia-China Friendship Association and a leading member of the Russian Centre of International Scientific and Cultural Cooperation, made warm speeches at the first performance, expressing the common aspiration of the two peoples for lasting friendship. People of all walks of life in Moscow and St. Petersburg, diplomats of the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in Russia, representatives of the Chinese community in Russia, Chinese students, media of both countries, totaling over 3,000, watched the performances.

The average age of the troupe members is over 60, the oldest 78. Many of them are retired national class-A actors and actresses. They gave the Russian audience high-quality artistic enjoyment in the forms of vocal music, dance, Peking Opera and costume show with their superb artistic attainment and profound knowledge and nurture in Chinese culture. The solo Carrying Tea to Beijing and The Waves on the Lake Honghu were warmly received by the audience. In the garment-show items—Time and Space Tunnel and Eternity, the models wearing costumes and accessories of different Chinese dynasties walked the stage against a magnificent and enchanting background created by using three dimensional laser, video frequency, smoke and other stage techniques. The highlights of the Peking Operas The Monkey King Wreaking Havoc in Heaven and King Xiangyu Bids Farewell to His Lady brought the house down. These items unfolded before the Russian audience the rich and colourful Chinese culture and art. Especially the performance of Russian songs and dances such as the chorus Troika and Victory Day, male quartet Moscow and dance The Mountain Ash Tree by the elderly Chinese artists who had strong nostalgic feelings for the Russian culture touched the hearts of the audience. The gala night reached one climax after another with prolonged applause and ovation. At the end of the performance, the zealous Russian audience went up to the stage to present the performers bouquets of flowers and were reluctant to leave. It was a moving scene. When interviewed by reporters, many talked about their experiences and feelings. Igor A. Rogachev, former ambassador to China and member of the Russian Federation Council, said excitedly to a reporter after watching the performance: “It was marvelous, completely beyond my expectation.” Tian Erlong, Chinese consul general in St. Petersburg, spoke highly of the gala night, saying that it was one of the most brilliant performances held in St. Petersburg during the China Year. Many Chinese and Russian media covered the activities.

The Beijing Elderly Peoples Art Troupe demonstrated to the Russian audience Chinas vigorous development and the mental outlook of the Chinese elderly people in the new era, conveyed the friendly sentiments of the Chinese people toward the Russian people and promoted the cultural exchange between China and Russia. Its performances help create a warm atmosphere for the celebration of 58 years of diplomatic ties between China and Russia and added bright colours to the rich and varied activities of the China Year.