CAIRO — World-renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang opened the first edition of The Pyramids Echo (TPE) festival in Egypt on the evening of Nov 24 with a spellbinding performance at the Giza Plateau, marking a striking fusion of global classical artistry and the timeless grandeur of the pyramids, a breathtaking backdrop to the open-air theater.

Lang opened the evening with an intimate solo show, performing expressive works by classical masters including France's Claude Debussy, Hungary's Franz Liszt, and Poland's Frederic Chopin, showcasing his clarity of technique and emotional depth.

He then offered a delicate rendition of the Chinese folk classic Jasmine Flower and a reimagined piano arrangement of a beloved melody by Egypt's Sayed Darwish, drawing warm applause from the audience.

Lang says that it was deeply meaningful to open the festival at such a historic site. "Performing beside the pyramids has always been a dream for me, and I am very grateful to everyone who helped make this concert possible," he says.

Reflecting on cultural exchange, he says music plays a powerful role in bringing people together. "The audience responded most warmly to Jasmine Flower and Song at Nile River's Bank, which I specially rearranged for this concert," he notes.

Egyptian actor Ahmed Magdy, the festival's ambassador, says seeing an artist of Lang's stature perform iconic Egyptian music was a powerful moment, adding that artistic encounters between Egypt and China carry immense potential.

"When two civilizations of this size, depth, and advancement come together at such an iconic site, the result is bound to be different and remarkable," he says, expressing hope that this spirit of exchange extends not only to politics and economics but also to the arts.

Held across eight selected evenings from Nov 24 to Dec 13, and themed "Cradle of Civilizations: Meeting Point of Arts and Cultures", this year's festival presents a wide spectrum of performances, from orchestral tributes and Arab-heritage concerts to gala evenings, international vocal showcases, and world-class ballet, bringing a rich array of global artistry to Egyptian audiences.