As the world marks the first UN International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations (June 10), a Russian PhD student at Beijing Foreign Studies University shares how her love for music and language reveals surprising connections between cultures. ๐ป๐
Speaking with CGTNโs Enoch Wong, the scholar explained how her research in contrastive linguistics โ comparing Chinese, Russian, and English โ uncovers hidden similarities that mirror broader cultural exchanges. ๐ง ๐ก 'Harmony isnโt about erasing differences,' she noted, 'but amplifying shared values through understanding.'
Her secret weapon? A violin. ๐ถ The student uses musical collaborations to demonstrate how traditions blend: 'When I play Chinese folk songs with Russian classmates, we create something new yet familiar โ like how civilizations evolve through dialogue.'
Central to her perspective is the Chinese character โheโ (ๅ), symbolizing harmony through balance. ๐ธ 'This concept isnโt static โ itโs alive in cross-cultural friendships and global youth initiatives today,' she said, pointing to growing interest in multilingual education and collaborative art projects worldwide.
With Gen Z driving a 40% surge in language-learning app usage (Duolingo 2024 data), her message resonates: Understanding different cultures starts with curiosity โ whether through a song, a conversation, or a shared meme. ๐ฌโจ
