While tens of thousands of Chinese can sing the Russian song Katyusha, thousands of Russian families regularly watch a Chinese teaching TV program named "Hello, China." The 2009 Russian Language Year organized in China the 2010 Chinese Language Year in Russia are believed to have enhanced the interest of the two peoples to learn each other's languages with their colorful activities, such as speech competitions and TV programs, Xinhua reports.
Wan Shouning, a 26-year-old Chinese man, won gold medal in "Chinese sing Russian songs competition last year with ian songs sung by Chinese" with his lyrical presentation of The Roads, a song composed during Russia's Great Patriotic War.
The contest reflected the Chinese people's affections for Russia, said Chinese Ambassador to Russia Li Hui. Last October, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin personally awarded the medal to Wan.
Over 12,000 people took part in the competition, and many Chinese fans were eager to learn Russian songs. Russian judges were carried away by emotions when contestants rendered "Evening Near Moscow" "Troika" and other old Russian songs beautifully.
Currently, many universities in China list the Russian language as a major subject. There are also seven educational centers specialized in Russian language teaching. During the Russian Language Year, over 260 events were held across China, attracting more than 100 million participants.
The Chinese and Russian Language Year programs, said Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov, go beyond the boundaries of language and covered all the aspects of cultural exchanges between the two countries. Such events will enhance the cultural relations between the nations, and help further consolidate the friendship between the two peoples, he added.
Read the complete article here.
