Venice Biennale: Tan Dun awarded Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement

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Turning to some Chinese culture in Italy now. That's where Chinese composer Tan Dun has been awarded the Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement in Music. The board of the Venice Biennale presented this on September 30, during the International Contemporary Music Festival. The award honors artists for significant contributions to the world of contemporary music.

No rest for Tan Dun, who just won the prestigious Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement in Music. Hours after being awarded and on the night itself, he conducted a concert, performing his masterpieces "Secrets of Winds and Birds", "The Tears of Nature", and "Concerto for Orchestra".

JULIA MIHALY GERMAN SPECTATOR It's interesting to see the artistic approach behind the music, that is related on one hand the western culture, and of course the eastern culture.

LAURA SANTINI ITALIAN SPECTATOR It was like seeing a movie. So I could imagine myself walking in a forest or in the nature.

The Biennale also acknowledged Tan for his defense of nature – a common theme in his "organic music" which spotlights water, stones, paper, and ceramics alongside traditional musical instruments.

TAN DUN CHINESE ARTIST I'm so glad. My Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement is recognition of my background and culture. I'm grateful that I always have a master key, which is the Chinese culture.

PAOLO BARATTA PRESIDENT, VENICE BIENNALE China itself has offered the world a composer that talks about all. So to some extent, China is a bit more open to dialogues with the rest of the world.

As a global cultural leader, Tan uses his creativity to raise awareness of environmental issues and to protect cultural diversity.

The world-renowned artist and UNESCO Global Goodwill Ambassador continues to make an indelible mark on the world's music scene with a creative repertoire that spans the boundaries of classical music, multimedia performance, as well as Eastern and Western traditions.

Tan's music has been played all over the world by leading orchestras, opera houses, international festivals, and on radio and television, winning today's most prestigious honors including the Grammy Award, Academy Award, Grawemeyer Award and Bach Prize.

CARLA MORENI CULTURE REPORTER, II SOLE 24 ORE Tan Dun is already a world-wide famous composer. And this time he is awarded by the Biennale – such an ancient, prestigious institution. In the past, there were Prokofiev, Stravinsky. Many great composers in the 20th century have passed here. So now the arrival of Tan Dun means that China has come too.

LI YAOYANG VENICE Tan Dun's music is also a key to the world, through which an audience with diverse backgrounds can learn more about Chinese art. One small step for Tan Dun in Venice is also one giant leap for Chinese culture on the global stage. Li Yaoyang, CGTN, Venice, Italy.