'Music Needs No Translation': Russian Ambassador on Cultural Bridge With South Africa
18:46 03.11.2025 (Updated: 19:04 03.11.2025)
© telegram sputnik_africa
/ Subscribe
'Music Needs No Translation': Russian Ambassador on Cultural Bridge With South Africa
The recent debut of the Pianissimo Festival in Pretoria has highlighted the power of music as a universal language, according to Roman Ambarov, Russia's Ambassador to South Africa. The festival featured pianist Konstantin Yemelyanov's first performance in the country.
"I believe that music […] goes straight to the emotions," Ambarov told Sputnik Africa. "Russian classical music has a deep sense of storytelling, and South African music has rhythm, spirit, and joy."
Music creates an instant connection between cultures, he said, drawing a parallel between the artistic spirits of the Russian and South African peoples.
"When our musicians meet on stage... it is like two languages saying the same thing. We understand each other through the sound," the ambassador said.
This connection is set to continue, with one of South Africa's most talented young pianists scheduled to perform in Russia this winter, the diplomat revealed.
Subscribe to @sputnik_africa
