Chinese orchestra performs in Nepal capital to mark New Year

A special performance by China’s Tianjin Symphony Orchestra was launched yesterday to celebrate the upcoming New Year and to enhance Sino-Nepal cultural exchanges.The two-day concert, the first of its kind in the Himalayan country, was organised by China Cultural Centre in Nepal.The event held at Kathmandu’s Army Club drew an audience of about 300 people including government secretaries, officials, political leaders, former ministers and music enthusiasts from different walks of life.According to the organiser, Tianjin Symphony Orchestra has successfully performed nearly 1,000 large symphonic works within China and in various countries like the United States, Australia, Japan and Germany among others.During the one-hour long performance, Chinese artists treated the audience with a number of well-known solo and duet pieces.“Though I could not understand the language, I could feel the story through their music. It is important to hold such programmes time and again to bring people of two countries closer,” Ananda Pokharel, a former culture minister, said after watching the performance.Apulal Awale, president, Nepal Chinese Guide Association said, “I am very much pleased to attend this performance from Tianjin. The music is soothing and relaxing one.”