Sino-French concert in Chongqing highlights cultural dialogue

On Friday night, the Changzhou Performance Hall in Chongqing hosted a captivating Sino-French cultural heritage exchange concert featuring a blend of ancient French and Chinese instruments.

The concert highlighted the talents of a pair of French siblings, 23-year-old lutenist Alban Tixier and 20-year-old viola da gamba player Louise Tixier. It also showcased a performance by Chen Chaoliang, a cultural specialist from the local cultural center, and bow flute teacher Li Qiang, accompanied by four of his students from Dazu Experimental Primary School.

The French delegation also included members from the French La Fontaine Troupe Support Group and the Sino-French Educational Communication Association. Earlier in the day, they visited the Dazu Rock Carvings, where the Tixier siblings performed live.

"When the viola's bow dances across centuries and the lute's harmonies mingle with the ancient rock carvings, it's like what a French philosopher called 'communities of the senses'," said Alban Tixier. "In a world where globalization is making cultures more alike, such profound dialogue not only keeps our cultural diversity alive but also reminds us that real cultural innovation often sparks from the spiritual encounters and inspiration of different cultures."