Sino-French children’s choir sings -Chorus of Friendship- in Hainan_1

On the evening of October 25, at the Hainan Provincial Theatre, the China-France Children’s Choirs performed the classic song “Auld Lang Syne” in both Chinese and French. The pure voices of the children resonated throughout the theater, deeply moving the audience. As the performance concluded, applause echoed for an extended period.

This concert marked the opening performance of the “Bridge of Friendship” initiative celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France and was also the first time these choirs sang “Harmony of Friendship” in Hainan. The grand finale featured the Paris Choir and the Wuzhishan Li and Miao Children’s Choir from Hainan.

After a five-month interval, the two children’s choirs came together once again, this time in the tropical city of Haikou, swapping the romantic backdrop of Paris for the vibrant atmosphere of Hainan.

Elisabeth Trigo, the conductor and artistic director of the Paris Children’s Choir, took to the stage in a stunning red qipao adorned with auspicious clouds. She expressed her excitement about the collaboration, stating, “This is our choir’s first deep collaboration with a Chinese choir. The children are thrilled, and they are so happy to have made friends in Paris.”

Elisabeth emphasized the significance of this event for fostering understanding between the children of both countries. “When I shared stories about our friendship that dates back to the time of De Gaulle 60 years ago, the children were astonished. This ‘Bridge of Friendship’ activity will enhance their understanding of each other’s cultures.”

The evening’s program was thoughtfully arranged, with the Paris Choir performing French songs such as “If I Go to China” and “The Little Prince,” along with a Chinese classic, “The Moon Represents My Heart.” The Wuzhishan Li and Miao Children’s Choir sang “Long Time No See” for their French friends and performed “Singing Wuzhishan for France” in French.

Liu Min, the conductor and artistic director of the Wuzhishan Choir, highlighted the children’s preparations for the reunion, noting, “The children rehearsed new songs to welcome their friends from France. ‘Auld Lang Syne’ expresses our wish for the enduring friendship between our choirs and the strengthening of relations between our two countries.”

During the “Bridge of Friendship” activities, the two choirs will also perform at Hainan University and the Mao Na Village in Wuzhishan. Additionally, the Paris Choir will engage in cultural exchanges across various locations in Hainan.

Valentin Remond Le Bec from the Paris Choir shared his anticipation for a more in-depth exchange, saying, “Our previous meeting in Paris was brief, but this time we have more opportunities to explore the natural beauty of Wuzhishan and learn about the lives and environment of our local friends.”