Kukai symphony was presented on Friday in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, celebrating the life of Kukai, a Japanese monk of mutual learning and global cultural exchange symbol. The performance united Chinese and New Zealand musicians, bringing to the public an exciting experience that has filled the great hall of Auckland City Hall, with a capacity of over 1,500 people.
Composed by the renowned Chinese Zou Ye, the symphony was governed by British conductor Derrick Morgan and played by the Auckland Philharmonic, in partnership with the China Central Conservatory Choir and the Auckland Music Association Choir. The presentation marked the debut of the work in the southern hemisphere and was organized by the Cultural Media Tianguhiyin de Beijing, supported by community groups and local media.
Kukai: an icon of cultural exchange
Kukai, who lived during the Tang Dynasty, went to Japan bringing significant cultural and technological advances from China, including knowledge in education, medicine, architecture and science. It is credited with introducing Tang Buddhism in Japan and its lasting impact on global cultural exchange, becoming a prominent historical figure.
Zhou Li, cultural consul of the Chinese Consulate General in Auckland, stressed that Kukai represents mutual learning between civilizations, an essential principle in the initiative of global civilization promoted by China. “Civilization expands with exchanges and enriches with mutual learning,” said Zhou.
Warm reception in Auckland
Since its debut in 2023, Kukai symphony has passed Lanzhou (China), Kyoto and Tokyo (Japan) and London (United Kingdom), receiving great acclaim. In Auckland, Mayor Wayne Brown praised the event by uniting cultures in a positive and inspiring way. Symphony reaffirms the power of music as a bridge to promote understanding and friendship between different nations.
Source: https://www.chinahoje.net/sinfonia-kukai-reune-culturas-em-apresentacao-emocionante-na-nova-zelandia/
