The "Year of China" provided a unique opportunity for Russians
to learn about Chinese culture, a renowned Russian Sinologist said
yesterday.
Alexey Voskresensky, a professor at the Institute of
International Relations in Moscow, said: "Chinese culture is
splendid and magnificent, but the majority of Russians are not
familiar with it."
An overwhelming proportion of Russians have inadequate knowledge
and understanding of China, he said.
About 72 percent of Russians have never had any contact with
Chinese people, Voskresensky said, citing a poll conducted by a
Russian foundation in February.
"Russians crave Chinese culture but their enthusiasm is hampered
by a lack of convenient conditions and venues," he said.
The holding of a "Year of China" in Russia, a series of cultural
and economic events, which began in March, "has laid a solid
foundation for further broadening Sino-Russian cultural exchanges,"
he said.
The "Year of China", which ended yesterday, was the second
reciprocal "national theme year" organized between China and
Russia.
A "Year of Russia" was held in 2006, in China.
"The activities have been a huge success," the professor
said.
He said he had been impressed by the variety of activities held
during the eight-month-long festival.
The performances put on during the cultural and economic
exchange gala, which displayed the abundant forms of Chinese art
and culture, "dazzled Russian audiences" he said.
"Those performances have truly enhanced Russian people's
understanding of the history and present state of Chinese art and
culture," he said.
Also, China's participation in the 20th Moscow international
book fair, at which an array of Chinese contemporary literature and
science books were exhibited, has aroused attention from Russia's
scientific and literary circles," Voskresensky said.
The holding of university art festivals by students in the two
countries and the establishment of several Confucius institutes
provided a valuable platform for spreading Chinese culture and
facilitating student exchanges, he said.
Russians' interest in Chinese culture "is steadily intensifying"
thanks to the "Year of China" events, he said. The translation and
publication of Chinese books, he said, was also becoming
increasingly popular in Russia.
He said he hoped the current cultural exchange momentum could be
maintained in the future.
"More importantly, (we should encourage) more and more people to
participate in promoting and strengthening Russia-China
exchanges."
(Xinhua News Agency November 7, 2007)
