The winter Olympics is coming to Beijing in just 100 days. 

The countdown has well and truly begun with the China Media Group (CMG) hosting its first China-Europe International Arts and Culture Festival.

The group of international musicians from China, Germany, and Switzerland joined their hands together in the spirit of the concert's theme: "The World in Unity."

The concert is part of a programme of events that will be run-up to the games.

Wandsworth Times: The Geneva State Wind Orchestra performs in a special concert to celebrate the 100-day countdown to Beijing 2022 in Geneva. Credit: CMG EuropeThe Geneva State Wind Orchestra performs in a special concert to celebrate the 100-day countdown to Beijing 2022 in Geneva. Credit: CMG Europe

When are the Beijing Winter Olympics?

 

The Beijing Winter Olympics will begin on February 4, 2022.

Beijing will be the first city in history to ever host both a Summer and Winter Olympics.

The games will be returning to the Chinese 14 years after hosting the 2008 Summer games.

Thomas Bach, President of The International Olympic Committee (IOC), hailed it as "another milestone" on Beijing's journey.

Bach added in a video message about the event: "Blending sport and culture was a key objective of our founder Pierre de Coubertin, when he revived the Olympic Games 127 years ago.

"Today's programme is a wonderful illustration of how both sport and music are building bridges, and bringing people together.

"The beautiful performances by this talented group of international artists show us all what inspirational moments are possible when we are dreaming together.

"This is what sport and music are all about: bringing all people together, making us dream, and inspiring us with beauty and excellence, filling our hearts with joy."

 

100-day countdown to the Beijing Winter Olympics

 

The hour-long concert was led by British-Swiss conductor Howard Griffiths, Swiss conductor Jean-Christophe Monnier and Chinese conductor Zhao Yuan and was jointly staged at venues in Geneva and Berlin.

There were performances from world-class musicians and orchestras, including The Brandenburg State Orchestra, the Geneva State Wind Orchestra and Swiss-Chinese pianist Mélodie Zhao. 

The aim of the unity concert was not only to bring the competing countries together but to blend the worlds of sport, music and culture together.

The programme will be broadcast in five languages (Chinese, English, French, German and Italian) on multiple CMG platforms as well as to mainstream media around the world.

Roland Ott, Director of Germany's Brandenburg State Orchestra, said: "We are very lucky and honoured to play this concert for you and as a mix of western music and Chinese music.

"The summer Olympic Games in Beijing were very successful.

"Having the Winter Games in Beijing will be another big opportunity for China to showcase the country and the city."

Another motivation for hosting the concert is to create well wishes for the upcoming games.

Wandsworth Times: Shen Haixiong, President of China Media Group (CMG), speaks at the special concert to celebrate the 100-day countdown to Beijing 2022.. Credit: CMG EuropeShen Haixiong, President of China Media Group (CMG), speaks at the special concert to celebrate the 100-day countdown to Beijing 2022.. Credit: CMG Europe

This is why the programme featured inspirational songs like The Yellow River Piano Concerto, Ode to the Motherland, William Tell Overture, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and The General Guisan March as part of its line-up.

CMG President Shen Haixiong said: "Sport and music are the common languages of all mankind. Under the Olympic banner, artists from different countries perform wonderfully to express their sincere wishes for the success of the Beijing Winter Olympics.

"This truly makes me feel the solidarity, and the friendship that is higher than mountains, deeper than the ocean."

"As one of the most influential Olympic rights-holding broadcasters in the world, China Media Group is well-prepared for broadcasting the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

"We will present a spectacular Winter Games to the global audience to create an unforgettable 'Beijing memory'."