China's Tianjin Symphony Orchestra perform in Nepal to mark New Year

A special performance by China's Tianjin Symphony Orchestra was launched Sunday evening to celebrate the upcoming New Year 2018 and to enhance Sino-Nepal cultural exchanges.

Artists from China's Tianjin Symphony Orchestra show musical performance during New Year Concert in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, on Dec. 24, 2017. The two-day event was organized by China Culture Center in Nepal and Tianjin Symphony Orchestra to enhance the cultural exchange between China and Nepal as well as to welcome the New Year 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

The two-day concert, the first of its kind in the Himalayan country, has been organized by China Cultural Center in Nepal.

The event held at the capital'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.

Addressing the function, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Chinese embassy in Nepal Yang Shichao noted that Tianjin Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1985, is one of the largest and popular symphony orchestras in China.

"Music is a bond to link civilizations and mind with body. We believe such events are helpful to boost people to people exchanges and cultural cooperation", Yang said.

According to the organizer, 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.

The performances drew hearty rounds of applause and appreciation from the Nepali audiences.

"Though I could not understand the language, I could feel the story through their music. It is important to hold such programs time and again to bring people of two countries closer", Ananda Pokharel, a former culture minister, told Xinhua after watching the performance.

Apulal Awale, President of Nepal Chinese Guide Association said, "I am very much pleased to attend this performance from Tianjin. The music is soothing and relaxing one."

The high-level musical performance will conclude on Monday.