From a Century Old Western House to Intangible Cultural Heritage Gegas: The Integration of Chinese and Western Cultures in Harbin
2024-06-11
On the square in front of the century old Byzantine style building Sophia Church, some tourists dressed in Western style costumes, holding "wands" or carrying white doves, dress up as "princesses" or "queens". Please ask the photographer to take a group of big photos; Some tourists flock into the church and take selfies with their phones raised as they walk. Last winter, Harbin's cultural and tourism industry went viral, and the Sophia Church and the artificial moon above it formed a dreamlike scenery, becoming a symbol of the doting tourists of this "internet celebrity" city. Photographer Zheng Yi, born in the 1990s, opened a travel photography shop near Sofia Church. He said that Harbin's unique architectural style blends Chinese and Western elements, and many tourists from other places come to take photos in formal attire. Harbin, known as the "Oriental Moscow" and "Oriental Little Paris", has witnessed the exchange and integration of Eastern and Western cultures since its inception. With the construction of the Middle East Railway in 1898, this place gradually became an international commercial port. Russian fur, French perfume, German medicine and dry and fresh fruits from various countries are all on sale, which is no less than an international commodity fair. A hundred meters away from Sofia Cathedral, Central Street gathers Western architectural styles such as Renaissance, Baroque, and Eclectic, making it a true "Museum of Architecture Across the World". In July 2021, Harbin City launched a special research project on the protection and inheritance of historical and cultural buildings. At present, data collection and organization have been carried out on more than 580 historical and cultural buildings in the local area. Each building has a QR code for people to understand building information and the stories behind it. Yang Weidong, the director of the Harbin City History and Cultural Relics Museum, believes that Harbin has strong inclusiveness, generously accepting foreign cultures and integrating innovation. The fusion of Chinese and Western cultures has become a memory of the city and integrated into the daily lives of its citizens. On May 1st, on Central Street in Harbin, salespeople of Madeier popsicles were recruiting customers. Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Jianwei pointed out that this kind of integration is also reflected in diet. In early summer, strolling along the lush Central Street, a bottle of cold Gevas is an authentic way to cool down. This type of beverage from Russia has already taken root in Harbin, and the well-known brand Qiulingwas has also been included in the intangible cultural heritage list of Heilongjiang Province for its Russian traditional production techniques. "When I was a child, a bottle of gas and a loaf of bread were the best meals." Bian Jiang, Deputy General Manager of Marketing at Harbin Qiulin Beverage Technology Co., Ltd., said that in order to adapt to Chinese consumers, the company has improved the taste of Gevas; In response to the health needs of consumers, new products with low sugar and no sucrose have also been launched. Nowadays, Gevas has become a popular and frequently consumed beverage among people in Harbin. In 2023, the sales volume of Qiuling gas reached 53000 tons, with a sales revenue of approximately 300 million yuan. Many people who come to Harbin are unconsciously attracted by the artistic atmosphere of this city. Harbin is one of the earliest cities in China to introduce Western music. In 1908, China's first symphony orchestra, the Harbin Symphony Orchestra, was born. At the Harbin Music Museum, over 1500 Chinese and Western musical instruments are gathered together, and different ethnic music is played here. Eastern and Western cultures are stirred up here. "The culture of the Chinese nation has great inclusiveness, and our culture is built on the foundation of diversity and integration," said Miao Di, the director of the Harbin Music Museum. The integration and development of culture and art have also enriched the lives of citizens. Recently, performers from Harbin Ballet performed classic ballet, symphonic ballet, modern ballet and other exciting performances in the auditorium of Harbin Institute of Technology. As part of the "Elegant Art on Campus" project, this performance aims to bring elegant art free of charge to primary, secondary, and higher education institutions. "In Harbin, encountering so many familiar buildings, cuisine, and art makes me feel very familiar." Sasha, 29 years old, is a Russian international student pursuing a doctoral degree in architecture at Harbin Institute of Technology. Sasha said that after graduating with a doctoral degree, he really hopes to stay and work in China, becoming a "China expert". (Lai Xin She)
Edit：Yi Jing Responsible editor：Li Nian
Source：XinhuaNet
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