CHONGQING, China, Sept. 19, 2025 – The 2025 Concert of World Great Rivers commenced spectacularly on the evening of September 18, 2025, in Wanzhou. The city, situated along the Yangtze River – China’s longest waterway – was brightly illuminated as the event began at its downtown square.
Serving as a parallel event to the 2025 Yangtze River Civilization Forum, this year’s concert, titled “Hearing the Rivers · Timeless Voices,” united musicians from various global nations, celebrated Chinese artists, and local cultural professionals from Chongqing. Utilizing an immersive stage design and global artistic styles, the event delivered an audio-visual spectacle that bridged national divides and blended historical and contemporary elements.
The concert’s stage design showcased remarkable ingenuity. It skillfully leveraged Wanzhou’s distinct riverside environment, expanding the performance area onto the Yangtze River itself. The Yangtze Gold Cruise Ship served as a dynamic stage, complemented by inventive elements like multimedia light and shadow projections and torch displays on the water, forging an enchanting realm where natural beauty met technological artistry.
As a grand symphonic movement resonated, the cruise ship, bearing international artists, gracefully approached the shore. This moment symbolized the official commencement of the evening’s cultural exchange, enveloping the scene in a poetic and picturesque ambiance.
The performance featured fresh renditions of iconic songs celebrating the world’s great rivers, including “The Song of the Yangtze River,” “My Home Is by the Yangtze River,” and “We Are the World.” Additionally, popular tunes such as “The Great Chinese People,” “The People Are the Country,” and “Auld Lang Syne” were presented.
Renowned Chinese artists, including Li Danyang and Wang Kai, shared the stage with international vocalists from nations like Kazakhstan and Serbia. This musical dialogue, spanning various linguistic and cultural expressions, powerfully conveyed the deep meaning of a community with a shared future for humanity.
A monumental chorus of ten thousand participants elevated the live atmosphere to a crescendo. Both Chinese and international audiences expressed their sentiments through song, forging unity and consensus through the power of music.
Established in 2018, the Concert of World Great Rivers has now completed eight successful editions. This year marked its inaugural inclusion as a concurrent event of the Yangtze River Civilization Forum. Beyond being a pivotal activity of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s online mass cultural initiative, it represents a significant step for Chongqing in developing the Yangtze River National Cultural Park. The event has presently evolved into a globally influential, high-caliber cultural and tourism brand, serving as a vital platform to exhibit diverse river cultures worldwide and the profound humanistic allure of the Yangtze River’s Three Gorges.
Alongside this year’s concert, Wanzhou introduced a cultural week from September 16-22, designed to highlight the city’s transformations. A range of distinct activities were implemented across the entire region, featuring the western regional competition of the national village song contest, a folk art creation and research exchange focusing on the Yangtze River Basin, a separate riverside concert, and a grilled fish consumption season.
To ensure a comprehensive, high-quality experience for visitors – encompassing dining, lodging, travel, shopping, and entertainment – preferential policies were extended. These included at least a 40% discount on hotel stays, catering, and scenic attraction tickets. This initiative enabled both residents and tourists to savor Wanzhou’s distinct appeal while immersing themselves in the artistic offerings.
The Concert of World Great Rivers stands as a prominent landmark event for integrating culture and tourism within Wanzhou, and simultaneously serves as a cultural bridge linking China to the global community. Moving ahead, Wanzhou intends to continue utilizing the concert as a platform, harnessing cultural influence to foster international cooperation and person-to-person interactions. This will allow the world to experience the resonant voices of the majestic rivers and observe the modern progress of the Three Gorges.
Source: The 2025 Concert of World Great Rivers
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