Nigeria Times

By Phoebe Haines

Art is a universal language that transcends national boundaries and cultural barriers, connecting our diverse world. Art can be individual and unique, and yet art speaks to us all in a common language, serving as a bridge for mutual learning across different countries and civilizations.

I am a mezzo-soprano opera singer from the United Kingdom and my connection with China began with a set of performances eight years ago. In 2016 I was invited to join iSING! Suzhou International Young Artists Festival in East China’s Jiangsu Province. The iSING! Festival is the first program of its kind dedicated to the promotion of Putonghua, or Mandarin Chinese, as a “lyric language”: in other words, a language of opera. The festival was founded by world-famous Bass and star of the Metropolitan Opera, Tian Haojiang. The festival offers world-class vocal training to young talent from China and other countries, and has provided an opportunity for singers from all over the world to showcase their skills and musicality by singing in Chinese.

The year 2016 marked my first trip to China and I discovered my love for the Chinese language at this festival. While it would be another several years before I began teaching myself Chinese characters, from 2016 I started my Chinese language journey by learning to sing Chinese songs. Having invested in three years of full-time Chinese language study at Tsinghua University in Beijing from 2020-2023, I am now happily studying for a doctoral degree at the School of Arts in Peking University where my research interests lie in the study of Kunqu Opera. Learning Chinese music has provided a way for me to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, which I find incredibly valuable.

In January 2023 I had the privilege of performing in Echoes of Ancient Tang Poems, a concert at the Lincoln Center in New York, together with artists from China and all over the world. The songs we performed were set to the texts of Tang Dynasty (618-907) poems, allowing our audiences an insight into the charm of ancient Chinese poetry.

For this performance, we were lucky enough to collaborate with the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra. As many readers may be aware, in September 1973 the orchestra themselves embarked on a historic China tour: That tour was a truly ice-breaking moment in China-US relations as the Philadelphia Orchestra was the first US orchestra to visit the country since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.

At our concert of January 2023, I felt that that instant too was a special and historical moment in time, a connection of East and West and a fusion of tradition and modernity, all spoken through the language of art. One of the songs performed that night was set to the text of Sending off Du Shaofu by Tang Dynasty poet Wang Bo. “Distance cannot separate the hearts of true friends”: This timeless line epitomized the core concept of our concert.

There have been cultural exchanges between East and West dating back many hundreds of years. At Stratford-upon-Avon stands a copper sculpture of William Shakespeare and Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) playwright Tang Xianzu, known as “the Shakespeare of Asia.” This sculpture was erected in 2017. These two outstanding representatives of Eastern and Western theater never met, but both happened to pass away in the same year of 1616. Over 400 years later, the two playwrights are immortalized sharing a unique encounter across time: Shakespeare holding a quill and Tang holding his brush, symbolizing the interaction and resonance between Eastern and Western cultures.

Be it near or far, be it between individuals or nations, friendship and mutual trust are of utmost importance. I believe that close friendships can create a sense of solidarity, making the world a better place. Such friendships can be fostered through meaningful people-to-people interaction: through cultural exchanges, communication, dialogue and cooperation.

Relations between countries may fluctuate over time, but cross-border exchanges, particularly in the arts, remain a vital force in our world. These types of exchanges among nations help us to move from initial unfamiliarity toward a deep sense of connection. Through meaningful interactions, people from different countries can gradually dispel misunderstandings, discard prejudices and enhance mutual cooperation. One day, these friendships will become as profound as “a lake a thousand feet deep,” as in the ancient Chinese poem.

In 1920, a young man named Liu Bannong, who would later become a renowned linguist, was studying abroad in London. Borne out of his longing for his homeland of China, he wrote the poem Teach me how not to miss her. It was adapted into an art song by the composer and linguist Zhao Yuanren, creating an artwork that was popular not only in China, but continues to attract widespread attention in international art circles.

I feel a deep connection to this song every time I hear it. The universal appeal of great works of art lies in their ability to evoke the most simple and genuine emotions in people’s hearts while also conveying unique historical and cultural elements.

Nations differ, just as individuals differ. This is but one side of reality. The other side is that we all share common human emotions. We can be enchanted by beautiful music even if we don’t know the language being sung. We can empathize with the misfortunes of others, even though they live in places we have never been. As humans, two of our most special endowments are the capacities to both communicate and to empathize.

As the ancient Chinese educator and philosopher Confucius said, “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others” and “If you wish to establish yourself, help establish others. If you wish to achieve your goals, help others achieve theirs.” John Donne, a leading English poet of the 16th century, wrote, “No man is an island.” Drawing on the words of those who came before us, we can treat others with humility and strive to be more attentive listeners.

This approach allows us to put ourselves in others’ shoes and to better understand each other. That way we can seek out common ground and live in harmony.

By Niraj Lawoju

I’m from Nepal. Last September, driven by curiosity, I came to China for the first time and started my journey as a student at Sichuan University.

My new life began in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China’s Sichuan province, a city known for its relaxed pace of life and numerous parks. During weekends, particularly in good weather, people often gather in parks to enjoy tea and conversation, while their children play nearby.

Chengdu is also renowned for its mouth-watering dishes. As night falls, restaurants of every kind are bustling with diners, who are really enjoying themselves.

My residence is quite close to the Funan River, and I find pleasure in walking along its banks every morning and evening. At East Lake Park and Wangjianglou Park along the river, I often see elderly people practice tai chi amid gentle music and melodious birdsong. Their graceful postures and flowing movements create a beautiful sight in the parks. In the evenings, the open squares by the river come alive with people dancing to lively music. Most of them are about my mother’s age, yet their energy truly impresses me.

Perhaps it’s because of my habit of walking in the morning or my admiration for the clear Funan River flowing through the bustling city center, but I often pay special attention to the city’s sanitation workers.

Once, while walking back home on a chilly winter morning, I saw sanitation workers sweeping leaves on the road. Out of curiosity, I wanted to join them and see how they work. I tried to communicate in my poor Chinese, but I could not really understand their Sichuan dialect. However, when I picked up a broom, they immediately understood what I was trying to do. That day, I joined them in collecting leaves and helped them pack, sort and transport the leaves. When we parted, they enthusiastically suggested taking a photo with me, this sweaty foreign boy. I still cherish that photo – we were infected by each other’s enthusiasm, and smiles radiated on all our faces.

Despite being in a foreign land, I often encounter such hospitality and friendliness. My neighbor is a robust elderly man. Sometimes in the morning, I helped him sweep the streets near our residential building, and then we sat together for breakfast – usually youtiao, Chinese fried dough sticks. He listened as I talked about my family and parents. Sometimes he “complained” that my clothes were too thin: “You don’t understand winter in Chengdu; you should wear more.” In my neighborhood, there is also a kind auntie who always treats me like her own child, cooking me delicious food.

Their friendliness never ceases to warm my heart and deepen my appreciation for Chengdu and China. For me, China is a country that boasts not only beautiful cities, lively parks and busy subways, but also warm and friendly people. In their company, I no longer feel like a foreigner, but rather a typical young person who can effortlessly blend in and share laughter with them.

Before coming to China, I had heard about its rich traditional culture centered around “family.” This vague idea I had before has turned into vivid images in my mind, after seeing grandparents carrying their grandchildren’s small bicycles to pick them up from school and parents happily watching their children enjoy themselves in the playground. This embodies the devoted attention and care of Chinese elders, who are passing down their knowledge, aspirations and traditions to the next generation. And I am probably a beneficiary of this inclusive “family culture.”

China is vast, and what I see and hear often provokes my thoughts. Chinese society is like a weighty classic novel with many captivating chapters, filled with touching stories, kindness and warmth. Perhaps even a lifetime would not be enough to thoroughly understand all its aspects, but I am grateful to the people I met in China, who have opened a window for me to explore this fascinating culture.