It's been a year of both reminiscence and discovery, for China and its northern neighbor, Russia. The historical bond has been fortified, largely through art and music.

It's always exciting to make friends from afar. And when Russia set up a cultural feast for China, it stirred profound feelings in the hearts of two generations.

Rarely can another country be such an emotional trigger. But exchange between the two nations goes way back. China came to know, and idolize Russia through the Bolshoi ballet, Gorky novels, and masterful oil paintings. And this year's comprehensive display of Russian culture has made cross-border ties still more secure.

The mention, alone, of The Bolshoi stirs images of magnificent operas and ballets. To open The Year of Russia in China, the world-famous troupe held their biggest show ever on foreign soil.

And many more quality shows followed, with the running theme of "Classic Forever, Heritage and Development": From theatrical offerings like "For Every Wise Man, There's Enough Simplicity" and "Petty Bourgeois", to Shostakovich's 1928 opera "The Nose". Chinese actors look up to Russian theater, and have made their own bold steps, doing full justice to the country's classics.

For the 100th anniversary of the birth of Shostakovich, the Beijing Music Festival dedicated an entire series to the composer. The Mariinsky Orchestra, Russia's oldest and most prestigious, played the Festival Overture at the opening ceremony.

And passionate, heavy rock from Flowers, picked up the pulse.

Be it striking or subtle, "Three Hundred Years of Russian Art" made a lasting impression. The exhibition extended the influence of contemporary Russian painting, on Chinese artists. And those who read "How the Steel was Tempered", as children, found new dimensions to Russian literature, at the Beijing Book Fair. Offerings from the country's best-selling authors and poets, shared the shelves with the classics.

All in all, the events provide a panoramic view of Russian culture to a very wide audience. Tickets are priced affordably, encouraging everyone to participate. A remarkable 25 million people have taken part in Russia-year activities.

Understanding comes first, in building friendship. And that's what the knowledge contest is all about. Students from 30 colleges were tested in Russian literature, and language, once the second tongue of the Chinese nation.

Old-time brotherhood has evolved into strategic partnership in the 21st century. But no matter the context, the bond of friendship holds firm.

(CCTV.com November 9, 2006)