Foreign and Military Affairs

Music brings French Chinese children closer

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-02-11 14:26

PARIS: A small concert played by scores of French and Chinese children attracted near 400 Parisians in the festival hall of the government of the 3rd arrondissement of Paris Wednesday.

The municipal government, host of the concert, aims to celebrate Chinese Spring Festival through a string of activities, including the concert by junior piano players from 6 to 13.

Deputy prefect Patrick Badard told Xinhua that the government invited Chinese-French pianist and music educator Chow Chingling to co-host the music party, hoping to deepen culture exchange between Chinese and French young generation.

Some 15 children from both countries played Chinese folk music The Song of Yangtze River and Chinese Tambour as well as western classics of Tchaikovski and Chopin. Their serious attitude and excellent performance brought loud applause from adult audience.

Badard said he was touched by the children's performance and the reaction of audience. The municipal government will continue to hold more activities to promote the culture exchanges between young generations of the two countries.

Chow told Xinhua the players were mostly her students. She taught them selective Chinese folk music during everyday practise, in order to make these young children who were born in France not to forget Chinese culture.

"The important thing is to tell our Chinese children, even though they are living and studying in France, not to forget Chinese culture," she said. "It's very important. So I try all kinds of methods and ways to deepen their impression about Chinese culture."

The 3rd arrondissement of Paris began the Chinese Culture Week from February 8 to 14. Strings of activities like concerts, martial art show, acrobatics and cooking art exchange will be held in the municipal city hall.