A concert of Russian-Chinese children's and youth choirs "Hand in Hand!" was held at the National Centre RUSSIA
On May 10, the National Centre RUSSIA hosted a concert of Russian-Chinese youth and children's choirs "Hand in Hand!" The project is dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the Victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The organisers are the Movement of the First, the All-China Youth Federation, and the China Youth and Children Development Service Centre.
"The tour of the Chinese and Russian youth and children's choirs 'Hand in Hand!' is a joint project of the Movement of the First and the All-China Youth Federation. As part of the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, a combined Russian-Chinese choir performed in Moscow, presenting well-known wartime pieces by Russian and Chinese composers. The project has become a symbol of unity between the Russian and Chinese peoples in the fight against fascism. It demonstrates the deep friendship between our nations and the readiness to confront common threats together," said Hero of Russia, participant in the presidential programme "Time of Heroes", and Chairman of the Board of the Movement of the First Artur Orlov.
A combined choir of 40 participants — 20 young vocalists from Russia and 20 from China — performed on stage. Russia was represented by the children's jazz choir "Voices" from Izhevsk (participants aged 11–17) and the vocal ensemble "UniVoice" from Vladivostok (aged 18–25). The Chinese delegation included students from the Shenyang Conservatory of Music and the Shanghai Children’s Palace.
The audience had the opportunity to see and hear 17 pieces performed in Russian and Chinese, including patriotic songs that symbolise the feats of past generations, cultural values, and love for family and homeland. The concert became an emotional tribute to the events of the past and a way to honour the memory of wartime years.
The international project "Hand in Hand!" was launched in 2025 and has already become a landmark event within the framework of the Year of Friendship at the Movement of the First. The concept of the Year of Friendship was developed by members of the Federal Council of the First. The project opens up new opportunities for youth cooperation between the two countries, strengthens the strategic ties between China and Russia, and contributes positively to the promotion of honesty and impartiality in matters related to the history of the Second World War.
The project is being implemented in stages. From March 19 to April 10, 2025, applications were collected online from youth and young adult choral groups in Russia. Then, from April 11 to 14, interviews with participants were held. Between April 15 and May 5, remote and joint online rehearsals of Russian and Chinese performers took place. From May 6 to 11, the Russian leg of the tour was held, including concerts and cultural events in Moscow. The final stage will be the tour in the PRC, scheduled for August 30 to September 5, 2025.
On May 8, the President of Russia Vladimir Putin and the President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping included in the list of official documents the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation between the Movement of the First and the All-China Youth Federation (2025–2026). This document will serve as a basis for the exchange of experience in working with children and young people.
"The idea of creating a Chinese-Russian youth choir emerged in 2024. At that time, we began discussing it at the initiative level, and this year we moved on to detailed planning and practical cooperation. This project is particularly important because it involves young people — those who will shape the future of our countries. It is essential that young people know and remember our shared history — including the events of the Second World War, the Great Patriotic War, and the Chinese People's Struggle Against Japanese Aggression. We have signed cooperation documents that laid the foundation for implementing such projects as this choral exchange. We are confident that this is only the beginning — many more joint initiatives in various formats lie ahead," said Shan Qiyue, Executive Director of the International Department of the All-China Youth Federation.
As part of the cultural programme, the Russian-Chinese combined choir took part in commemorative and festive events dedicated to Victory Day. On May 8, the participants of the international choir visited the Victory Museum on Poklonnaya Hill, where they explored the history of the Great Patriotic War in an interactive format. On May 9, they joined an excursion at the National Centre RUSSIA, after which the choirs attended the main festive concert in Zaryadye, as well as the celebratory fireworks marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
"We found out about the project by chance — we had previously taken part in 'Battle of the Choirs!', and when we saw the announcement, we immediately decided to apply. The most unusual thing for us was the Chinese pronunciation. Maria from our team helped us — she is learning Chinese, and thanks to her we were not only able to memorise the lyrics but also to understand their meaning. It wasn't easy, but it was very interesting. We communicated with the Chinese participants in English — they were all open, friendly, and cheerful. We became friends and even exchanged contacts. For me, this project is not just about music. It is about friendship, about respect for our shared history. The song 'Cranes' was the most touching part of the performance. The excursions and conversations about Victory Day made this experience even more meaningful," said Arina Kosheleva, a member of the combined choir from Vladivostok.
On the eve of May 9, the combined choir took part in the All-Russian campaign "Windows of Victory," decorating windows with symbols of remembrance and sharing their emotions with everyone who honours the heroism of their ancestors. This became a vivid example of heartfelt, genuine interaction: despite the language barrier, the young performers already understood each other without interpreters, exchanging gifts, emotions, and sincere interest in each other’s culture.
Event photobank
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