A large concert themed “Cultural China, Lasting Friendship” held in the Millennium Park of Chicago, America (Photographed by Wu Chu, reporter of Youth.cn)

　　The opening performance of China-America “Silk Cedar” band (Photographed by Wu Chu, reporter of Youth.cn)
　　CHICAGO，Sept. 18(reporter Wu Chu) At 2:30 p.m. local time on September 17, a large concert themed “Cultural China, Lasting Friendship” has been held at Pritzker Pavilion, a concert hall at Chicago’s landmark Millennium Park, America. Having been geared up for a whole year, this grand event was attended by more than 1,000 performers from over 30 art groups of China and America, and more than 10, 000 on-site spectators. With a stunning opening, China-America Silk Cedar band has recorded a successful commencement.

　　China-America “Silk Cedar” band performing the opening prelude “Dance of the Golden Snake” (Photographed by Wang Ping, reporter of Xinhua News Agency)
　　As a special guest, “Silk Cedar” played the opening prelude “Dance of the Golden Snake” with an American orchestra called “Beautiful Wind” from Valpreyso University. The sounds of drums, dulcimers, jazz pianos and violins all merged together, igniting the atmosphere instantly. The following “Jasmine Raga” was performed with Chinese and Indian violins, explaining that music is borderless. “Zainayaoyuandedifang, youweihaoguniang……” (means in the distant place, there was a good girl), when the band member Paul sang this song in Chinese, the audience applauded cheerfully, setting off the first highlight.

　　Member of Silk Cedar, multi-instrument player and creative singer Paul Frieson Carper singing “In That Place Wholly Faraway” (Photographed by Wang Ping, reporter of Xinhua News Agency)
　　Hong Lei, Chinese Consul General in Chicago, noted that “China-America relation is now the most important global relation, and it needs our joint efforts to further develop the relationship. China-America friendship is of paramount importance both for the people of the two countries and the people of the world.” He especially expressed his gratitude to all the cast and crew members, “Your hard work will make a strong contribution to the friendship between the two countries and the development of bilateral relations.”

　　Speech of Hong Lei, Chinese Consul General in Chicago (the second one from the left) (Photographed by Wu Chu, reporter of Youth.cn)　
　　Silk Cedar is led by Liu Yuening，Chinese top dulcimer musician, Fulbright scholar at the university of Michigan and Professor of Central Conservatory of Music, along with David Mahler, young dulcimer performer, champion of American national dulcimer, Professor Dennis Friesen Carper, associate art director, composer, conductor and jazz pianist as well as Zach Harmon, drummer, the world percussion master and Paul Friesen Carper, the multi-instruments performer, singer-songwriter, etc.
　　The initiator Liu Yuening remarked that “Music is the universal language of mankind. During the new historical period of China-America relations, music is more capable of expressing and connecting the emotions between the Chinese and American people. I hope, under the guidance of ‘Belt and Road’, Silk Cedar will exert more positive impacts for global humanistic exchanges.”
　　This concert themed “Cultural China, Lasting Friendship” was organized by Indiana Music Orchestra, Oriental Art Troupe, Confucius Institute at Valpreyso University, Chicago Confucius Institute and Asian Cultural Center, and supported by Chinese American Association of Greater Chicago.

　　Pritzker Pavilion, a concert hall at Chicago’s landmark Millennium Park, America. More than 10,000 spectators participated in the China-American cultural exchange event. (Photographed by Wu Chu, reporter of Youth.cn)

　　Pritzker Pavilion, a concert hall at Chicago’s landmark Millennium Park, America. More than 10,000 spectators participated in the China-American cultural exchange event. (Photographed by Wu Chu, reporter of Youth.cn)

　　Pritzker Pavilion, a concert hall at Chicago’s landmark Millennium Park, America. More than 10,000 spectators participated in the China-American cultural exchange event. (Photographed by Wu Chu, reporter of Youth.cn)