In October 2022, Shenyang in China and Békéscsaba in Hungary became sister cities. One year later, these two cities had a wonderful meeting.

In November 2023, the Sunbeam Puppet Theater of Békéscsaba in Hungary visited Erjing Street NO.2 Primary School of Shenyang. The artists and the Chinese students jointly presented a moving and fantastic cultural exchange performance. 

“Green the mallow in the garden, waiting for sunlight to dry the morning dew…” These poems were recited by young voices and accompanied by ethereal and melodious sounds of the steel tongue drum, which created a graceful atmosphere. The powerful beats of the Chinese drum were invigorating, while the hulusi performance of Blue and White Porcelain brought the audience closer to a beautiful misty landscape. The combination of Chinese Kungfu and the soundtrack Immortal Sound Above Cloud Palace of the Chinese TV drama Journey to the West took the audience on a fantastic adventure, all performed with traditional Chinese musical instruments.

“I was amazed by the children, I was speechless, when I first saw them play on those drums, it was a real high quality performance.” The artists from the Sunbeam Puppet Theater of Békéscsaba in Hungary were deeply moved by the spectacular show and strong cultural confidence of the students. The moment captured by the camera lens left a lasting impression of excellent traditional Chinese culture on the artists.

The artists presented the students with one of their classical works, “Dance of the Chrysalis.” It conveys the message of “striving to grow, breaking from constraints, and attaining freedom,” which resembles a philosophical concept symbolized by the Chinese idiom hua jian cheng die (transforming from a chrysalis into a butterfly).

This cultural exchange performance demonstrated the profound friendship and great partnership between the two nations. Furthermore, it extended the international influence of excellent traditional Chinese culture through such exchanges, laying a solid foundation for international understanding and communication in the future.

The event was organized by Shenyang People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Government of Békéscsaba City of County Rank in Hungary.