On the evening of June 14, the China Cultural Centre in Malta, in collaboration with the Embassy of the People's Republic of China and the Santa Lu?ija Local Council, held a special concert titled "Conversation and Connection" to mark the first United Nations International Day for Dialogue among Civilisations.
Set in the peaceful surroundings of the Chinese Garden of Serenity, the evening brought together local and international musicians in a celebration of music as a universal language and bridge between cultures.
The Director of the China Cultural Centre in Malta, Yuan Yuan, opened the event by highlighting the essential role of cultural dialogue in today’s world. She noted that the concert was not just a performance but a moment of connection - demonstrating how music can transcend borders and generations. Yuan also expressed gratitude to Mayor Charmaine St John and the Santa Lu?ija Local Council for their continued partnership, which has transformed the garden into a vibrant symbol of Malta-China friendship.
Peng Yijun, Chargé d'Affaires at the Chinese Embassy, acknowledged the importance of this newly established United Nations day, aimed at fostering respect, understanding and peace among civilisations. He described the concert as a fitting tribute, where the harmony between Maltese and Chinese music reflects the appreciation between two ancient cultures.
Mayor Charmaine St John welcomed the audience and spoke of the Garden of Serenity as more than a physical space - a venue where dialogue, unity and cultural appreciation are brought to life. She praised the long-standing cooperation with the China Cultural Centre in Malta, and invited the audience to continue embracing empathy and understanding through art.
The concert featured a diverse range of performances:
Chinese Pipa virtuoso Guo Mei presented two pieces: Blue and White Porcelain and Spring in Tianshan Mountain, each rooted in Chinese cultural heritage.
Maltese singer Mikaela Borg, from the Malta Visual and Performing Arts School, performed the Maltese song ?mielek.
Young Chinese pianist Liu Haofu of the Malta Piano Academy played Colourful Clouds Chasing the Moon, a beloved Chinese folk-inspired melody.
Mikaela Borg was joined by Chinese singer Chen Yunru in a duet of a modern musical setting of a classical poem by Song Dynasty scholar Su Shi.
Renowned Serbian pianist, educator and founder of the Malta Piano Academy, Milica Lawrence performed The Life of Flowers by Croatian composer Dora Peja?evi?.
The concert concluded with a moving duet by Guo Mei and Milica Lawrence: The Moon on the River on a Spring Night, blending ancient Chinese composition with Western classical expression.
Through each performance, the evening conveyed a message of mutual respect and shared beauty. "Conversation and Connection" was a living example of the values that the United Nations Day celebrates - reminding guests that culture, when exchanged with sincerity, deepens understanding and unity.
