At the invitation of the Romanian Cultural Institute in Beijing, the ethno-folkloric ensemble Surorile Osoianu performed three outstanding concerts between 19 and 22 September 2025 within the framework of the Global Geographical Indications Products Expo (GIPE 2025), held at the Beijing Capital International Exhibition Center (CIEC), as well as at the headquarters of ICR Beijing in the Galaxy SOHO complex. Their presence marked Romania’s participation as Guest Country of Honour and offered Chinese audiences the opportunity to discover the refinement and expressive power of musical traditions from Romania and the Republic of Moldova.
The first concert took place on Friday, 19 September, at CIEC, at the opening of Romania’s National Pavilion, where the voices of the Osoianu Sisters introduced the audience to a world of authenticity and depth. On Saturday, 20 September, the ensemble performed at ICR Beijing under the program “Culture Without Borders: The Osoianu Sisters in Folk Concert in Beijing”, organized in collaboration with the Moldova–China Economic and Cultural Cooperation Center and with the support of the Embassies of Romania and the Republic of Moldova in Beijing. The concert gathered over 200 spectators and represented the first joint initiative of the two cultural institutes after the March 27, 2025 event, highlighting the shared cultural heritage and unity of traditions from both countries on the Asian continent. On Sunday, 21 September, the ensemble gave a recital entitled “Following in the Footsteps of European Diplomats: A Visit to Shunyi”, held in the Reception Hall of the Capital International Exhibition Center Hotel, complementing the musical program with intercultural and diplomatic dialogue.
The 20 September concert was attended by H.E. Mr. Dan Horia Maxim, Ambassador of Romania to the People’s Republic of China, and H.E. Mr. Dumitru Braghiș, Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to China, as well as the Romanian official delegation present in Beijing on the occasion of GIPE 2025. At the end, guests were invited to a reception with Romanian and Moldovan wines accompanied by a buffet provided by Moldovan partners, creating a friendly setting for dialogue among diplomats, journalists, cultural operators, tourism professionals, and the Chinese public.
The ensemble was represented by Iulia Osoianu, Maria Osoianu-Bivol, Romela Osoianu-Roșca, and Valentina Osoianu, accompanied by cobza player Sergiu Diaconu, sound engineer Irinarh Grozavu, and manager Iurie Nistorică. The five voices of the Osoianu Sisters, originally from Horești, Republic of Moldova, are renowned for their authentic interpretation of folk songs, which they have cultivated for over four decades. Formed within the ensemble Tălăncuța, the Osoianu Sisters hold the honorary title of People’s Artists and are admired for their repertoire of carols, doinas, ballads, and dance songs, often compared to archaic choral harmonies of rare purity. At the same time, they have transcended tradition through collaborations with the band Subcarpați, international reinterpretations – including the piece Through the Valley for the video game The Last of Us Part II – and participations at prestigious festivals such as CODRU (2023) and Soul of Romania (2025).
The three concerts were warmly received by both the Chinese public and the Romanian and Moldovan communities in Beijing. Media coverage and visibility on social networks confirmed the impact of the program, which showcased the shared cultural heritage and emphasized the unity of traditions and richness of Romanian and Moldovan identity.
The Romanian Cultural Institute in Beijing coordinated the entire five-day program, combining artistic activities with cultural diplomacy initiatives and visits to discover local heritage. The events were promoted through the online platforms of ICR Beijing, partner institutions, and both local and international social media, contributing to strengthening the visibility of Romanian and Moldovan culture in China.
