A performance is staged by Slobodan Trkulja and Balkanopolis from Serbia in the Daming Palace National Heritage Park in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Oct. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi)
XI'AN, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- As night fell in the Daming Palace National Heritage Park in Xi'an, a symphony of Serbian instruments, Balkan rhythm, and traditional Chinese musical instruments, zither and guzheng, attracted many audiences and was greeted with thunderous applause.
The 9th Silk Road International Arts Festival opened on Oct. 15 in Xi'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, where it will run until Oct. 29. Over 60 foreign artists from countries like Slovakia, Croatia, and Azerbaijan performed dances, musicals, dramas, and mimes in local cultural landmark buildings.
Having finished their performance with a popular Chinese folk song named Kangding Love Song, Slobodan Trkulja and Balkanopolis from Serbia were deeply impressed by the enthusiasm of the Chinese audience.
"I really feel that we have shared something very special tonight, and you can tell by the reaction of the audience," Slobodan said.
Slobodan Trkulja and Balkanopolis from Serbia stage a show in the Daming Palace National Heritage Park in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Oct. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi)
In his eyes, art is a language that the whole world shares. Back in 2010, Slobodan came to China for the first time and performed at the Shanghai World Expo. "In recent years, we have been coming to so many Chinese cities to learn about local culture, style of music, and ways of singing, which I found amazing," recalled Slobodan. He gave himself a Chinese name, Fei Long, which means "Flying Dragon."
At China's annual Spring Festival Gala in 2023, Slobodan sang a Serbian folk song, "There, Far Away," accompanied by world-renowned pianist Lang Lang and violinist Lyu Siqing, which earned millions of views.
In April this spring, Slobodan came to Xi'an and watched the stage adaptation of Everlasting Regret, a poem written by ancient Chinese poet Bai Juyi (772-846) from the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
"I was on the edge of tears when watching it. We come from different parts of the world, but we all cherish our national poetry and feel the shared values from art," he said.
Slobodan Trkulja and Balkanopolis from Serbia stage a show in the Daming Palace National Heritage Park in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Oct. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi)
For five consecutive years, Serbia held lantern shows during the Spring Festival. "I was always moved by the hospitality of Chinese people, and I want to show our passion in return," said Slobodan, who is also a co-founder of the show.
He believes that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has made a positive difference in the world both materially and spiritually.
"Chinese construction companies are building bridges, roads, and railways in Serbia, and our bilateral trade also bears fruit. More importantly, if we put these things aside, we need something for life, which is the role of art. That is why I believe BRI is connecting people in so many ways," he said.
During the festival, he had the chance to cooperate and communicate with artists from China and other countries, which helped to promote mutual understanding.
"I see many similarities in the traditional arts of China and Serbia. Going forward, I hope that we will continue to adapt modern versions of our traditions and bridge peoples from different countries with art," Slobodan said. ■
