Chongqing Forges Historic Music Education Alliance with Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory

Chongqing - On October 18, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China published the List of Practical Cooperation Deliverables of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. To establish a Promotion Platform for Culture Exchange and Educational Cooperation with Arab States participating in BRI. Chongqing Municipal People's Government will carry out the cooperation project on music education with Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory.

On September 17, a throng of Chongqing's music aficionados gathered excitedly, queueing to grace the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra concert at the illustrious Chongqing Grand Theater. (Photo/Chongqing Grand Theatre)

On September 17 this year, a symbolic cultural bridge was constructed when Chongqing formalized a memorandum of cooperation with the esteemed Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory. This landmark agreement paved the way for the pioneering establishment of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Music's Chongqing Campus, a college co-founded by Chongqing Normal University and the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory. This collaboration is dedicated to the joint cultivation of world-class musicians.

"During the poignant years of the War of Resistance, an unbreakable kinship was forged between Chongqing and the Former Soviet Union, a bond that has stood the test of time," articulated Zhou Yong, the Chongqing History Research Association president. "Today, the collaborative endeavor in music education between Chongqing and the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory resonates deeply with our era, symbolizing not only a continuation of historical ties but also an evocative testament to our shared aspirations and collective future."

The performers were skillfully executing a resplendent musical passage. (Photo/Chongqing Grand Theatre)

Zhou delved deeper into the historical tapestry, highlighting that during the War of Resistance, Chongqing emerged as a beacon of political maneuvering and cultural efflorescence. Embarking on a scholarly voyage in 2008, the city inaugurated the "Chongqing Research Center for the Great Rear Area of the War of Resistance," a crucial project committed to unearthing and researching the rich cultural heritage woven into the fabric of the war's great rear area. "

Within this expansive academic endeavor, the exploration of music history commands a pivotal role," Zhou elaborated. This intricate mosaic of China-Soviet musical interchange in the annals of history has cemented a robust cornerstone for the present-day collaboration between Chongqing and the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, intertwining past and present in a harmonious symphony.

"Both Chinese and Russian musical heritages stand as illustrious jewels in their respective cultural crowns," said Zhou. "Historically, musicians from the Soviet Union and Russia gracefully infused China with their musical artistry, leaving an indelible imprint on the tapestry of China's modern musical landscape."

A glimpse into Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra's open rehearsal (Photo/Chongqing Grand Theatre

He underscored the significance of the present cooperation in music education, articulating that it extends beyond merely enriching the existing comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Russia. 

"This cooperation ushers in a renaissance of classical cultural and artistic heritage for the younger generation, forging a sustainable avenue for bilateral cultural dialogues," Zhou affirmed. "Such an endeavor does not solely amplify Chongqing's global stature and competitiveness; it also weaves a contributory thread to the larger tapestry of constructing a harmonized global community with a shared future for humanity."