Music is a language that transcends time and space, a bridge that connects the soul. At the beginning of the new year, looking back on the first Sino Saudi Cultural Year that has just passed, music exchange activities have connected the deep friendship between the Chinese and Saudi peoples like colorful bridges, becoming warm footnotes for cultural exchanges between the two countries. Listen attentively, the music still echoes. Music is like a seed, we are the ones who sow the seeds. On December 11, 2025, a music feast spanning mountains and seas was held at the King Abdulaziz World Cultural Center in the eastern city of Zahran, Saudi Arabia. After one year of preparation, the "Global Tour" concert of the National Centre for the Performing Arts Chorus of China was held here. The melodious "Jasmine Flower", the classical Beijing opera "Drunken Concubine", diverse European folk songs, romantic South American music, and unrestrained African drum melodies... Chinese artists select classic pieces from multiple countries and integrate piano, African drums, Kahong drums, sand hammers, and other instruments to perform, allowing the audience to appreciate the unique charm of different ethnic music. As the performance drew to a close, the audience raised Assad's hands to his chest and abruptly stopped with the conductor's gesture. Assad and the live audience stood up one after another, giving continuous warm applause to the performance. He said emotionally, 'The infectious performances of Chinese artists have immersed me in the world of music.' To sing the song of friendship together, the Shattrola Choir came all the way from the western city of Jeddah. They brought two Arabic songs and sang the Arabic song "How Many People Are There" and the Chinese song "Singing and Smiling" together with Chinese artists. Thank you to the music for bringing us together! During the rehearsal, we quickly developed a sense of understanding and felt like family, "said Asma, a member of the Krola Chorus. Zhao Jin, the soprano director of the Chorus of the National Centre for the Performing Arts of China, said, "I am delighted to perform on stage with the Saudi Chorus. From preparation to the final performance, we have always encouraged each other." The day before the concert, Jiao Miao, the choir leader and resident conductor of the National Centre for the Performing Arts Chorus of China, and the choir members carried out two unique artistic public welfare activities. On the morning of that day, the choir of the National Centre for the Performing Arts of China brought a lively concert to more than 800 students from 12 primary and secondary schools in Zahran, performing well-known Chinese and foreign songs such as "Moon Circle Dance," "Music Voice Suite," and "Lone Brave. The children clapped and sang along with the music throughout the entire process, competing to participate in the interaction on stage, their clear eyes sparkling with love for music. Zhang Qijia, who teaches Chinese in Saudi Arabia, took her students to watch a performance. She said that the Chinese language craze is constantly heating up in Saudi Arabia, and students have a strong interest in Chinese culture. This live listening to the Chinese choir singing deepened their sense of closeness to Chinese culture. In the afternoon, Jiao Miao gave a master class to the choir of Dalan Middle School, conducting the students to sing the English song "Moon". By adjusting their vocalization and intensity, students' singing becomes more layered. Jiao Miao said, "Music is like a seed, we are the ones who sow it. When we come to Saudi Arabia, we must also do a good job in popularizing youth art." "The theater is packed, and Chinese music is very popular among the Saudi people. ”As soon as the music stopped, Musab Saran, Executive Director of the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, stepped onto the stage to thank the Chinese artists for their wonderful performances. "This is just the beginning, and we will welcome more colorful Chinese cultural and artistic performances in the future." Up close, we can experience the Chinese people's philosophical pursuit and aesthetic ideal of "harmony between heaven and earth" in a noisy and tangled manner, with big and small beads falling onto the jade plate. On the opening day of the "Harmony of Heaven and Earth - Exhibition of Ancient Chinese Instruments" at the National Museum of Saudi Arabia, the music composed by Saudi traditional plucked instrument player Abadi Johar bloomed at the fingertips of Chinese artists, flowing with the melodious sound of the pipa. From September to December 2025, more than 100 precious ancient Chinese musical instruments, including bone flutes, bells, guqin, and twelve stringed instruments, will come to Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, to systematically showcase the glory and innovative fusion of Chinese music over thousands of years. From early musical instruments such as bone flutes, bone whistles, and pottery drums made from animal bones and clay in the Stone Age, to bronze bells, cymbals, bells, and cymbals with different shapes in the Bronze Age, to exquisitely crafted musical figurines in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, to the rich and colorful ethnic and folk musical instruments in the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties, the audience spans thousands of years and experiences up close the Chinese people's philosophical pursuit and aesthetic ideal of "harmony between heaven and earth". They are not only a vivid embodiment of Chinese ritual and music civilization, but also a common cultural heritage of all mankind. These exhibits are very exquisite and are an educational exhibition, "said Mona Hakindar, advisor to the Museum Committee of the Saudi Ministry of Culture." In recent years, the national museums of Saudi Arabia and China have actively promoted mutual exhibition and learning, which is very important for mutual understanding and friendship. During the exhibition, Saudi citizens and foreign tourists enjoyed the treasures of Chinese music together. Chinese culture is a treasure trove, and I always have new discoveries and gains, "said Marat Alaqib, who has studied and lived in China for many years. After visiting, she said that this was her first time systematically understanding the development history of ancient Chinese musical instruments." The ud qin and pipa have many similarities, and music communication transcends languages, making it easier for us to understand each other. Rama, a Saudi high school student, has just started learning Chinese. After watching the instrument exhibition, she has become more interested in Chinese culture. "I hope to go to China to study and deeply appreciate Chinese culture in the future," she said. "Instruments are an important carrier of cultural exchange. ”Zhuge Yingliang, deputy research curator of the National Museum of China and Chinese curator of the exhibition, said that he hopes the audience can understand the evolution history and cultural connotations of ancient Chinese musical instruments through the exhibition, feel the artistic charm of traditional Chinese music, and touch the development of Chinese music culture. The power of art can transcend culture and create beautiful moments for humanity. The fa ç ade of the Fahd King Cultural Center in Riyadh is illuminated by the "CARMEN" light projection, with the audience holding red roses and stepping on rose carpets as they enter. The theater dome shines brightly, and the colors of red and gold create a grand romantic atmosphere. From September 4th to 6th, 2025, the Chinese Central Opera House will perform the four act opera "Carmen" created by French composer Bizet here. This is the first time that the Chinese Central Opera House has performed an opera in Saudi Arabia with a full lineup. Led by Yuan Ding, the chief permanent conductor of the Central Opera House of China, the overture of "Carmen" played leisurely, and the opera, performed by about 200 Chinese artists, kicked off. The classic aria 'Habanella' resounded, and many viewers couldn't help but hum softly to the beat. The other name of this mezzo soprano aria, 'Love is Like a Free Bird,' is even more well-known. The composer's delicate changes in rhythm and timbre vividly portray the subtle emotions within the female protagonist Carmen. The wonderful performance of mezzo soprano singer Niu Shasha further immersed the live audience in Carmen's ups and downs of love fate. Carmen performed three times in Saudi Arabia and sold out within a week of ticket sales. Nearly 2500 spectators attend each performance, of which about 80% are Saudi citizens, reflecting the local people's expectations and recognition of Chinese artists. Audience Arnold said: "It's a great pleasure to enjoy the world-class performance brought by Chinese artists. This is a wonderful and unforgettable night." The Portuguese ambassador to Saudi Arabia sent a special letter: "This is an extraordinary night, showing China's artistic achievements and cultural heritage. This performance aroused my memory of watching opera for the first time in my childhood, and I was deeply attracted by the music, stage design and stories. Looking at the Saudi audience in the audience, I can't help thinking that many people may have experienced this wonderful feeling for the first time. This proves that the power of art can cross cultures and create a wonderful moment for mankind." Chinese ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chang Hua said that Chinese artists performing world classics in Saudi Arabia is a mutual learning of civilizations The vivid practice of the two countries marks that the people to people and cultural exchanges between the two countries continue to deepen and become more practical. Music is a language that transcends borders, conveying emotions and meanings, and carrying culture. Riding on the wings of singing, the people of China and Saudi Arabia have enhanced understanding, deepened emotions, and promoted cultural exchanges. Looking ahead to the future, the music exchange between China and Saudi Arabia will open a new chapter, and artists from both countries will work together to create a more harmonious, inclusive, and beautiful music world. (New Society)