This year's 70th anniversary of China-Russia diplomatic relations coincides with the 220th anniversary of the birth of Alexander Pushkin, an author recognized as the father of Russian literature. Russian is the most widely spoken Slavic language, and the United Nations observes June 6 as Russian Language Day, underlining the importance of Russian Culture. Let's follow CGTN reporter Su Yuting to a famous Russian restaurant in Beijing's Sanlitun community, called Pushkin Literature, to get a taste of Russia's rich culture along with their food.

A ceremonial event held in a Russian Restaurant in Beijing, commemorating the birth of the famous Russian poet Alexander Pushkin.

The celebration also coincides with the UN's Russian Language Day. Chinese and Russian people from literary circles gather together on this special day.

SU YUTING CGTN REPORTER "We will be going to interview a very special guest, who has already called on everyone to pay tribute to the Father of Russian Literature, Alexander Pushkin."

Mr. Han is the host of the event, he is also a Pushkin enthusiast, he said he is happy to be here to experience Russian culture.

HAN ZHIQIN, HOST PUSHKIN 220TH BIRTHDAY CEREMONY "China is an open country, we love freedom and peace, we have found lots of resonance from the poems of Pushkin and share similar feelings about him."

Xiao Xiao is the Art Director of the Pushkin Literature Restaurant. He says there is a bookshelf with a variety of works written by famous Russian literators that guests can rent and take away for free.

XIAO XIAO, ART DIRECTOR PUSHKIN LITERATURE RESTAURANT "We want to be the bridge connecting Chinese and Russian cultures. We want to use the poems, novels, paintings and music and dances as ways to build this bridge.

And of course, having a taste of Russian food is also one of the important ways to experience its culture. This round bread looks just like Chinese the kind made by locals living in China's northwestern Heilongjiang Province on the border with Russia. But the particular Russian custom has another special meaning."

SU YUTING CGTN REPORTER "Bread and Salt, that's the typical translation of the Russian word hospitality. That's the highest welcoming greeting ceremony offered to admired guests."

Olesya is a Russian girl who has been working in China for four years as a singer. She says this activity is significant for boosting people-to-people exchanges between Russians and Chinese.

OLESYA VOLYK, RUSSIAN SINGER PUSHKIN LITERATURE RESTAURANT "I am very impressed, it's amazing, very nice food and I like it."

She has invited me to have some very traditional Russian cuisine. And when the menus are on, it's surprised to find that Pushkin's famous poem If by Life You Were Deceived is written on the first page. It's a poem to encourage people to bravely overcome difficulties and be optimistic about the bright future.

When talking about President Xi Jinping's trip to Russia, everyone is also optimistic about the development of closer ties and together proposing a toast to their long-standing friendship.

Su Yuting, CGTN, Beijing.