On 28 May, the Chinese Garden of Serenity in Santa Luċija became the stage for a memorable encounter between Chinese and Maltese musical traditions. Beneath a brilliant blue Mediterranean sky and framed by colourful Chinese lanterns, audiences gathered for "Melodies of the Silk Road: A Mediterranean Journey of the Chinese Guqin", a special celebration of the International Day for Dialogue Among Civilisations.
Organised by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Malta, the China Cultural Centre in Malta, and the China Centre of International Cultural and Tourism Promotion, with the support of the Santa Luċija Local Council, the event highlighted the power of music to transcend borders and foster understanding between cultures.
At the heart of the evening was the guqin, one of China's oldest and most revered musical instruments, recognised as an important symbol of Chinese intangible cultural heritage. Through a programme that blended traditional Chinese masterpieces with innovative cross-cultural interpretations, the audience was invited on a journey spanning centuries of artistic expression and cultural dialogue.
The event featured performances by visiting Chinese guqin musicians Prof. Li Pengpeng and Dr Zhang Meng. The concert concluded with a joint performance by the two artists, alongside Chinese pipa player Guo Mei and Maltese pianist Diane Pace, who performed the traditional Maltese song 'Il-Festa', combining Eastern and Western musical traditions.
In his address, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Malta, H.E. Zhang Zuo, highlighted the role of culture in fostering mutual understanding between peoples. Referring to President Xi Jinping's Global Civilisation Initiative, he emphasised the importance of preserving cultural heritage, encouraging innovation, and strengthening people-to-people exchanges. He also expressed confidence that continued cooperation between China and Malta would further deepen the friendship between the two countries.
Dr Chen Xiao, Director of the China Cultural Centre in Malta, noted that the event reflected the principles of dialogue, exchange and mutual learning among civilisations. She described the collaboration between Chinese and Maltese artists as another meaningful chapter in the longstanding friendship between the two countries.
Santa Luċija Mayor, Charmaine St John thanked Ambassador Zhang Zuo and Dr Chen Xiao for their longstanding support of the Garden of Serenity and their commitment to strengthening cultural ties between China and Malta. She remarked that their vision and dedication have helped to establish the garden as a flourishing venue for Sino-Maltese cultural exchange and have made events such as this possible.
The event also featured an educational component through thematic presentations exploring the history, aesthetics and cultural significance of the guqin, alongside opportunities for the audience to engage directly with this ancient art form. Complementing the musical programme were cultural experiences organised by the China Cultural Centre in Malta, which gave audience members the opportunity to wear Hanfu, the traditional attire of the Han Chinese, and to sample a selection of exquisite Chinese food.