The Avangard Special Economic Zone (SEZ) organized a performance by a young Omsk resident at the Russian Culture Festival in Tianjin.

A young vocalist from Omsk, Alisa, known to Chinese audiences by her stage name (俄雪花, or “Russian Snowflake”), performed at the “Made in Russia” festival and fair in Tianjin, China.

The festival took place from August 15 to 19 on Jinjie Street, Tianjin’s central shopping street. Over the course of five days, Russian performers and creative groups presented Russian culture to Chinese audiences, featuring folk and modern songs, dance, and folklore performances. The cultural program complemented a large-scale exhibition of Russian products, where over 60 companies from 30 regions of the country showcased their wares. (Channel One)

In this program, Alisa performed the Russian pieces “Utushka Meadow,” “White Birch,” and “White Sail” in Chinese. Through melodies, poetry, and national imagery familiar to Russian audiences, Chinese viewers have the opportunity to become more familiar with Russian culture, its traditions, and values.

The young performer’s trip was organized by the Avangard Special Economic Zone. The project is being implemented within the framework of the Business Public Capital Standard, one of the areas of which for the SEZ is the promotion of Russian culture and traditional spiritual and moral values.

Avangard believes that cultural diplomacy can become an important tool for developing economic relations with China. Interest in Russia begins not only with investment proposals and company presentations. Very often, the first acquaintance with the country occurs through music, art, and traditions. And following emotional interest, interest in Russian brands, products, and joint projects develops.

“Economic relations cannot be built solely on numbers and commercial proposals. In China, trust between people, cultural understanding, and long-term relationships are especially important. Therefore, we strive to combine cultural and business agendas. While our artists introduce Chinese audiences to Russian traditions, we meet with potential investors, entrepreneurs, and government officials, and talk about the Omsk Region and the opportunities offered by the Avangard SEZ. “Culture in this case becomes the first bridge across which the economy then begins to move,” noted Mikhail Derevyanko, Deputy General Director of the Avangard SEZ.

The SEZ already tested this format of cooperation at the end of 2025. With the support of Avangard, 25 artists from the Omsk folk song and dance ensemble “Metelitsa” traveled to Manchuria, where they performed at the International Chinese-Russian-Mongolian Ice and Snow Festival. The ensemble presented Russian songs and dances to a Chinese audience.

Alongside the artists’ performances, SEZ representatives held meetings with Chinese entrepreneurs and potential investors in Manzhouli. Avangard continues to utilize this format—culture combined with a business program—to this day.

“The Manzhouli experience has shown that this model truly works. When, before business negotiations, people see Russia not only through presentations and investment figures, but also hear our music, see our costumes, dances, and traditions, the atmosphere of communication changes completely. An emotional connection and trust are created. Therefore, the performance of the Russian Snowflake in Tianjin is not an isolated cultural event for us, but a continuation of our systematic work to promote Russia and the Omsk Region in China. We want a love of Russian culture to gradually translate into interest in Russian goods, Russian companies, and joint economic projects,” emphasized Mikhail Derevyanko.

Culture opens doors. And the task of business is to transform this interest and trust into new partnerships, investments, and projects between Russia and China.