(December 17, Beethoven House, Bonn)

Distinguished Mr. Tan Dun,

Distinguished Deputy Mayor Sautter,

Distinguished Chairman Wegeler,

Distinguished Chairman Hoppe,

Distinguished Director Boecher,

Dear musicians and artists,

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends:

Good morning! It is a great honor to be invited to the first Beethoven Friendship Award Ceremony. Deputy Mayor Sautter, Chairman Wegeler, Chairman Hoppe, and Director Boecher have all delivered wonderful remarks, which fully demonstrating the City of Bonn’s, especially the Beethoven House’s, support for outstanding world culture and its contribution to China-Germany musical exchanges. On behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Düsseldorf, I wish to extend my warm appreciation and gratitude to you all.

The first Beethoven Friendship Award is bestowed upon the Chinese-American composer and conductor Mr. Tan Dun. This not only highly recognizes his artistic achievement in bridging Eastern and Western cultures and integrating ancient and modern musical elements, but also affirms the concept that “the national is universal.” Mr. Tan Dun is an outstanding representative of Chinese musicians who have gone global while remaining deeply rooted in their cultural heritage. I have had the opportunity to appreciate the explorations of his music works—inspired by the culture of the Miao people in Western Hunan, to the embroidery art of rural women—all of which are deeply thought-provoking and moving. Through his unique creative approach, he has brought Chinese ethnic culture to resonate with the world across mountains and seas. The significance of musical and cultural exchanges lies precisely here: they not only belong to the realm of art itself, but also serve to promote mutual understanding among peoples, mutual learning between civilizations, and deeper connections.

The City of Bonn is widely known in China as the “City of Beethoven” or “Beethovenstadt”. Beethoven is not only a great German musician, but also a symbol of spiritual transcendence and noble vision that transcends times. He used music to connect human emotions and his creations to inspire people’s minds. The establishment of the Beethoven Friendship Award and the selection of this year’s recipient reflect the City of Bonn’s and the organizers’ commitment to cultural diversity and the exchange between Chinese and Western civilizations. I look forward to and firmly believe that Bonn will continue to strengthen friendly exchanges and cooperation in music, culture, and other fields with the world, and inject new vitality into cultural and local cooperation between China and Germany.

The temperament and spirit embodied in Mr. Tan Dun’s music align with the values of putting people at the center, openness and inclusiveness, and promoting common human well-being, which are advocated in China’s Global Civilization Initiative and cultural concepts. I sincerely hope that Mr. Tan Dun and more Chinese artists will continue to promote fine traditional Chinese culture in their own ways, making Chinese music and culture more dynamic, vivid, and touching on the world stage. May they contribute to the mutual learning between Chinese and Western cultures and deepen the understanding among people around the world.

Finally, I wish to warmly congratulate the ceremony on its complete success and also sincerely wish that the City of Bonn and the Beethoven House further brilliance in their cultural endeavors, and may the musical exchanges and people-to-people friendship between China and Germany bear more fruitful results. Thank you!