发信人: cathy_c(徽徽@一切顺利)
整理人: sisi8597(2004-08-16 16:52:22), 站内信件
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China cancels Christian-themed concert amid unease about religious appeal
2004/4/17
BEIJING, AP
Authorities have forced a leading Chinese chorus to cancel a concert on Saturday of Christian-themed music in Beijing, its conductor said, amid official unease about the growing appeal of Christianity in China.
The Ministry of Culture ordered the chorus of the China National Orchestra to withdraw from the concert, conductor Su Wenxing said Friday. Su said orchestra managers refused to tell him the reason given by the ministry.
China's Communist government, although officially atheist, allows worship in government-monitored churches. Public religious and cultural activities require government permits.
The concert Saturday at the Zhongshan Music Hall in central Beijing was to include "Easter Chorus," written by a Chinese-born Canadian and based on Bible stories, according to Su.
Su, a Christian, is a conductor for another Chinese orchestra and was working with the Beijing chorus only for this concert.
"I was told by the head of the chorus of the China National Orchestra last night that they could not perform, as ordered by the Ministry of Culture," Su said. "I have asked for a letter explaining the reason the concert was canceled. But they refused."
Phone calls to the ministry during working hours Friday weren't answered. A woman who answered the phone at the Zhongshan Concert Hall said the concert was canceled.
Millions of Chinese have turned to Christianity in recent years in a search for spiritual meaning amid economic and social upheaval. But some officials are believed to be uneasy about allowing believers to publicly promote a religion that they worry might erode Communist control and possibly spread foreign influence in China.
Authorities are struggling to control underground Christian churches, whose popularity is surging.
This country of 1.3 billion people has 14 million believers in its official Protestant and Catholic churches. But religious scholars abroad say there also are as many 60 million Christians in underground churches.
Clergy and members of underground churches are often harassed or detained by police.
The composer of "Easter Chorus," Huang Anlun, expressed surprise at the cancellation.
"I don't understand why they would cancel the concert," he said. "It doesn't involve any political issues."
Su works for the Hebei Orchestra in Hebei, the populous province that surrounds Beijing. He converted to Christianity in 1996.
Su led Handel's "Messiah" last year in the cities of Guangzhou in China's south and Qingdao in the east. He said both concerts were first canceled by local officials and then reinstated.
Despite the withdrawal of the chorus, Su said he asked the musicians to show up anyway and possibly perform outside the concert hall.
"I expect many audience members will show up tomorrow night," he said. "How can I explain to them?"
（原文大意）
北京消息，中国有关当局下令取消一场带有基督教主题性质的音乐会。据美联社星期五报道，文化部要求中国国家交响乐团取消原定于星期六在北京中山音乐堂举行的一场音乐会，因为音乐会的演奏曲目中有基督教主题的内容。这场音乐会的指挥表示，乐团经理除了说，文化部下令取消演出外，不愿透露其它详情。报道说，由于越来越多的中国人通过宗教寻求精神寄托，中国当局担心因此失去对社会的思想控制
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It's a long long journey
Till I know where
I'm supposed to be
It's a long long journey
I don't know if I can believe
It's a long long journey
Till I find my way home to you |
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