#Chinese culture #Moscow #Shandong Radio #Lomonosov University #Russia

Shandong Documentary Screening Event at Moscow State University

On April 24, the Lomonosov Moscow State University served as the backdrop for an engaging documentary screening and promotional event hosted by the Shandong Radio and Television Station (SDRT) and the Shandong International Communication Center. This collaborative effort, also supported by the China International Communications Group's Center and Eastern Europe - South-Central Asia Communication Center, attracted over 60 attendees, consisting of both faculty and student representatives from the university's Department of Globalization Studies.

The keynote speech was delivered by Zhou Shengkuo, the deputy party secretary and editor-in-chief of SDRT. He articulated the importance of storytelling through documentaries, using notable works like Life at the Yellow River Delta, Mount Tai, and The Wu Liang Shrine as prime examples. Zhou shed light on SDRT's commitment to producing high-quality content and fostering international communication. His interactive discussion with students further bridged the gap between media representation and academic inquiry.

Since its inception, SDRT has made significant strides in documentary production, boasting over 70 titles and more than 300 episodes since 2019. These efforts have not gone unnoticed, as the international version of Life at the Yellow River Delta secured three prestigious Telly Awards, highlighting its excellence in the nature and photography categories.

Zhou emphasized the idea that cultural exchanges enrich civilizations, asserting that documentaries act as a 'universal language'. These productions enable dialogues beyond borders, facilitating mutual understanding and collaboration between cultures. The station’s mantra—Shandong narratives, global expression, integrated communication, and Chinese ethos— encapsulates their vision to portray the beauty of China's landscapes, history, and societal realities through various cinematic lenses.

Zhou likened well-crafted documentaries to 'mirrors' that reflect defining transformations of society and history. This philosophy resonates with SDRT's goal of showcasing Chinese symbols and narratives while engaging in meaningful global conversations. He noted plans for more documentaries aimed at fostering friendships and trust among nations, particularly among youth, to present China as a nation deserving of respect.

During the event, Liu Weibin, the director of SDRT's Documentary Center and chief director of Life at the Yellow River Delta, provided insights into the filmmaking process, sharing anecdotes from production that resonated with the audience. Ilya Vyacheslavovich Ilin, dean of the Faculty of Global Studies at Lomonosov Moscow State University, expressed admiration for SDRT's documentaries, recalling his positive experiences in China and voicing a desire to leverage the strengths of both nations for deeper cooperation in various fields.

Responses from attendees were overwhelmingly positive. Ma Jingyan, a Chinese doctoral student, expressed her excitement about the event and the breathtaking visuals in the documentaries, wishing to participate in SDRT's future promotional initiatives to further introduce China's cultural beauty to Russian friends.

Founded in 1755, Lomonosov Moscow State University is a prestigious establishment with 43 departments, including the Department of Globalization Studies, which is notably the first academic unit in Russia dedicated to studying global processes. It aims to nurture future leaders in international relations.

Through events like this, SDRT not only enhances its cultural outreach but also contributes to the broader narrative of cross-cultural understanding and friendship in an increasingly interconnected world.