New Book Preview | Read Together "Sino-Soviet Music Cultural Exchange During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression," Embark on an Academic Journey of Songs in the Flames of War

Co-hosted by Chongqing Normal University, the Chongqing Historical Research Association, and the China Museum of the History of Democratic Parties, the launch of the new book "Sino-Soviet Music Cultural Exchange During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression" and its academic exchange event are about to commence. The event brings together leading scholars in the fields of Chinese history and literature and music, and has also invited renowned Russian artists, experts, and scholars. Through academic seminars, musical performances, panel discussions, and online commentary, it cordially invites university faculty and students, historical researchers, music enthusiasts, and literary and artistic workers to attend.

"Sino-Soviet Music Cultural Exchange During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression" was authored by Professor Wu Jingyu, with a preface written by Professor Zhou Yong, an expert on CPC history and honorary president of the Chongqing Historical Research Association, who highly praised the book's value from the interdisciplinary perspective of history and music.

Wu Jingyu is a professor, vice dean of the School of Music of Chongqing Normal University, a state-sponsored dual doctorate in art studies from Russia (vocal performance and music art theory), and a postdoctoral fellow in history. She has long been devoted to research in the history of Sino-Russian music exchange, modern and contemporary Chinese music history, and opera theory and criticism, with abundant academic achievements. She has published 4 academic monographs (including 2 in Russian), more than 30 academic papers in important domestic and international journals such as the Journal of the Central Conservatory of Music, and has led or participated in 21 Ministry of Education and provincial-level research projects.

The book traces the history of musical exchanges between the two countries since the Yuan Dynasty, especially the key historical period from the late 19th century to 1949, and systematically sorts out the historical background, development trajectory, and historical direction of Sino-Soviet music exchange. It fully presents the geographical trajectory of the center of Sino-Soviet music exchange shifting from Harbin to Shanghai since the 1920s, especially after the full outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and then successively to Yan'an and Chongqing. It presents historical facts of cross-national music exchange, such as Qu Qiubai's first translation of "The Internationale" from the Russian version, Xian Xinghai's integration of Chinese and Western elements in creating "The Yellow River Cantata," the translation and introduction of the Soviet song "Katyusha" during the War of Resistance, and the heated discussion in Chongqing triggered by the gift of the score of Shostakovich's "Symphony No. 7." Relying on precious primary newspaper and periodical historical materials such as "Sino-Soviet Culture" and "Xinhua Daily," it strives to truly restore, on the basis of detailed historical materials, the scene of exchanges between musicians of the two countries during the years of war.

The work is not limited to sorting out the historical facts of Sino-Soviet music dissemination and exchange, but also analyzes the cultural exchange and mutual learning of civilizations between the two countries in both directions from the perspectives of Soviet music creation concepts, music culture, and Chinese themes and vocabulary, highlighting the rich connotations of musical dialogue in the context of anti-fascism within equal Sino-Soviet dialogue. Zhou Yong commented that this book is the first monograph to date focusing on Sino-Soviet music exchange during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, laying a solid starting point for this neglected field and broadening the research horizons of the history of foreign exchanges in the rear area during the War of Resistance and the history of Sino-Soviet relations.

Time: July 5, 2026 (Sunday) 14:30–19:00

Location: No. 1 Zhongshan 4th Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing (inside the China Museum of the History of Democratic Parties)

Academic Seminar

Chinese and foreign experts and scholars in the fields of musicology, history, and communication studies gather together to engage in in-depth intellectual exchange around the core theme of Sino-Russian music exchange.

Musical Performance

The concert covers programs such as string ensemble, vocal solo, and original music poetry recitation. The book's author, Professor Wu Jingyu, will take the stage to sing, using moving music to recreate the spiritual resonance of the peoples of the two countries fighting the enemy with one heart during the anti-fascist war.

Cultural Panel Discussion

All attending guests will take a group photo as a memento, and a free exchange session will be set up on site to break down barriers among multiple fields such as musicology, history, and international exchange, and to build a long-term sustainable interdisciplinary dialogue platform.