DHAHRAN, Saudi Arabia
“When you return home, take my song with you, but don’t take your smile away…” With the vibrant melody of the famous Chinese song “Song and Smile,” Chinese and Saudi artists sang side-by-side with warm smiles, while the audience spontaneously clapped to the rhythm, pushing the concert to its climax in a joyous atmosphere.
As the music ended, the entire audience stood up, applauding enthusiastically and cheering for a long time. Responding to the audience’s calls, the artists returned to the stage to perform the anthem “Auld Lang Syne,” reigniting the atmosphere and powerfully embodying music’s ability to transcend borders and touch hearts.
Last evening (Thursday), the Chorus of the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) of China presented the main performance of its first tour in Saudi Arabia, titled “A Concert of Famous Songs from Around the World,” at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran, Eastern Saudi Arabia.
The concert concluded with a joint performance between the NCPA Chorus of China and the Saudi Corala Choir, during which they performed the Arabic song “Qaddesh Kan Fi Nas” and the Chinese song “Song and Smile.”
“When we sang together, I got goosebumps, my eyes filled with love, and I even cried at the end,” said Asma Shaikh, a member of the Corala Choir.
The two choirs spent several months preparing for the joint performance of the two songs, starting with learning each other’s language, followed by joint rehearsals in Saudi Arabia before the official concert.
“We easily blended in, and it felt like we were one big family,” Asma added.
Members of the Chinese choir expressed similar sentiments. Zhao Jin, the soprano section leader of the Chorus, said, “It was truly exciting to perform these two classic songs in each other’s languages. During the preparation and performance, we were encouraging and appreciating each other’s efforts.”
Jiao Miao, the Conductor and Resident Director of the NCPA Chorus of China, said that the tour in Saudi Arabia is a significant event within the framework of the 2025 China-Saudi Arabia Culture Year activities, and the creative program was jointly designed by the Chorus and the Ithra center.
“When artists from China and Saudi Arabia stand together, communicate, and celebrate through music, the feeling is wonderful and unforgettable,” she added.
As the main event of the tour, “A Concert of Famous Songs from Around the World” featured classical songs from five continents, offering the audience a journey to discover the magic and diversity of musical styles globally. Several Chinese works received a warm reaction, including the popular folk songs “In That Distant Place” and “Jasmine Flower.”
Alaa Al-Tamimi, a Saudi audience member who wore a Chinese Hanfu dress, said she bought her ticket two months ago because of her love for Chinese culture.
“I love China and want to learn more about its culture. The concert was amazing, the atmosphere was fantastic, and it far exceeded my expectations,” she added.
The Chinese Chorus also performed multilingual and multicultural works from Europe, North America, South America, and Africa, skillfully integrating piano, African drums, the cajón, and maracas, alongside elements of dance and stage performance.
Paul Bien, Head of Performing Arts at Ithra, said the NCPA Chorus of China delivered an outstanding performance in Chinese, Arabic, and other international works.
“Music is a universal language, allowing people to connect across geographical and linguistic borders,” he added.
Beyond the main concert, the Chinese Chorus’s tour in Saudi Arabia also focused on promoting choral art. On Wednesday morning, the Chorus presented a special concert for children attended by over 800 students from 12 local schools.
Later that same day, Jiao and Chorus members held a rehearsal workshop with a local children’s choir.
Both activities received significant engagement from the Saudi children. Jiao said, “Music is like a seed, and we are the ones who spread it. Whether in China or Saudi Arabia, we hope to contribute to arts education for children and youth. We were deeply moved by the interaction with the Saudi children, and this makes us very proud.”
Mosaab Al Sarhan, the Acting Director of Ithra, said it was a great honor to host the NCPA Chorus of China, and including the tour in the China-Saudi Arabia Culture Year events is significant.
“We believe this is just the beginning, and we hope to see more Chinese culture and arts here in the future,” he added.
Wang Zheng, Vice President of the NCPA of China, pointed out that this year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Saudi Arabia, in addition to the China-Saudi Arabia Culture Year, giving the tour special significance.
He said the NCPA of China will continue to enhance cultural exchange between the two countries.
“We will continue to bring more outstanding Chinese art troupes to Saudi Arabia to present high-level arts to the local audience. We also look forward to welcoming Saudi artists to Beijing to perform on the NCPA stage, thus reinforcing its role as a platform for international cultural exchange,” he concluded.
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