A side story of the cultural exchange event featuring the Choir of the Rudolf Philharmonic Orchestra, University of Vienna, Austria

A scene from the cultural exchange event featuring the Choir of the Rudolf Philharmonic Orchestra, University of Vienna, Austria, held in Lhasa on the evening of April 3.

Music serves as a prelude to mountains and rivers, a continuation of stories across thousands of miles, and a melody of friendship.

On the evening of April 3, the Xizang Grand Theater in Lhasa was filled with risingsongs and a warm atmosphere. The cultural exchange event featuring the Choir of the Rudolf Philharmonic Orchestra, University of Vienna, Austria, was held here. The event was organized by the Publicity Department of the Xizang Autonomous Region Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Foreign Affairs Office of the Xizang Autonomous Region, and the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Xizang Autonomous Region, and hosted by the Xizang Autonomous Region Association for International Cultural Exchange and the Xizang Autonomous RegionSong and Dance Troupe. This marked the first musical dialogue between Chinese and Austrian artists on the snowy plateau, and a vividmicrocosm of Xizang’s heartfelt embrace with the world.

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Austria. Over half a century of shared challenges has deepened the friendship between the two peoples, with cultural exchange serving as the strongest bond.

Xizang is an ocean of songs; Vienna is theworld capital of music. When these two brilliant cultures meet on the roof of the world, music becomes a bridge, allowing the melodies of the plateau and themovement of the Danube to resonate together in deep harmony.  

"This is our first time participating in a concert in Xizang," said Julia, a choir member of the Rudolf Philharmonic Orchestra, University of Vienna, before the concert. "Tonight, dressed in our ethnic finery, we will enjoy the joy brought by music together with our Tibetan friends."

At 7:30 p.m., accompanied by melodious music, 12 members of the ethnic orchestra of the Xizang Song and Dance Troupe, dressed in Tibetan traditional costumes and holding Tibetan instruments such as the Dranyen and Biwang, performed Tibetan Duixie,,Langma, and BiwangUnison. The deep tones of the Dranyen and the clear sounds of the Biwang intertwined, vividly showcasing the unique charm of Tibetan music.

“Tibetan music is completely different from ours, yet it has a power that touches the heart. This wonderful experience might only be possible in Xizang,” said Leonie, another choir member, expressing her deep appreciation for Tibetan music.

When the choir members of the Rudolf Philharmonic Orchestra began singing Joseph Haydn’s "The Harmony of Marriage", their voices slowly echoed through the theater, with layers of harmony lingering long in the air.

"Hearing Viennese music in Lhasa makes us truly feel Xizang’s international character," said Dorje, an audience member, recording the moment on his phone. "I hope there will be more eventslike this. While experiencing different cultures, we also want the world to hear our Tibetan songs, understand the plateau’s culture, and perceive an open and inclusive Xizang."

As the concert drew to a close, the most moving moment arrived. The choir of the Rudolf Philharmonic Orchestra, University of Vienna, and the chamber choir of the Xizang Autonomous Region Song and Dance Troupe jointly performed "Hometown of the Sea" and the Tibetan folk song "Dromo Renchengang".

When the melody of "Hometown of the Sea" began, many in the audience softly sang along, their voices weaving together in warmth. Then, the serene tune of "Dromo Renchengang"flowed gently, with the plateau’s signature longsyllables perfectly blending with Viennese harmonies. At that moment, Lhasa’s night was lit up by songs, as different languages and cultures embraced each other.

From the harmony on stage to the resonance in hearts, this concert not only brought artists from different countries closer but also allowed the world to see and understand Xizang more clearly.

China’s Xizang has never been a remote, isolated place. It is a land in constant, heartfelt dialogue with the world. Nor has it ever been a closedmystical area. It is a home that embraces the world with openness and inclusiveness. Just like this concert that crossed mountains and seas: the classical music of Vienna and the sound of the Dranyen from Lhasa met here—not with barriers, but with resonance.  

Xizang is now at the best period in its history. With greater confidence and openness, it is actively building bridges to communicate with the world, letting the world hear the voice of the plateau and the plateau hear the world’s echo. It embraces diverse cultures with tolerance and writes a new chapter of development through openness.

Sheng Naipeng, deputy director of the External Exchange Office of the Publicity Department of the Xizang Autonomous Region Committee of the Communist Party of China, said: "The joint performance and friendship between the Chinese and Austrian choirs at the Xizang Grand Theater was a complete success. It not only highlights the confidence of Chinese culture and vividly showcases the charm of traditional Chinese culture but also promotes mutual learning between Chinese and Austrian civilizations, brings our peoples closer, and conveys the values of peace and friendship."

As the performance ended, the warmth lingered. Members of the chamber choir of the XizangAutonomous Region Song and Dance Troupe presented white hadas to their Austrian friends from afar. May the friendship between China and Austria be as unbreakable and enduring as the snowy mountains of the plateau. May the blessings of Tashi Delek cross mountains and seas, keeping us warm and close.

Reporter: NgodrupTsering, Ming Ji

Translator: Zheng Yujie, Liu Fang

Review: Drakpa Wangchen, Purbu Tsering