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    A Traveler's Tale: From Islamabad to Orenburg (Part One)

    Written by: Tehzeeb Hussain Bercha
    Posted on: October 08, 2024 | | 中文

    Representation of different cultures at the festival. The writer, wearing a Gilgiti cap, is standing third from the right.

    I have been of the view that the essence of travel lies not just in the exploration of unfamiliar territory, but in the interactions with the people who inhabit it. This impression was confirmed during my recent journey from Islamabad to Orenburg, Russia. The trip was not only about movement but an exchange of cultures, experiences and hospitality.

    My journey to Russia was spurred by an invitation from the Russian Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, World Youth Festival Directorate and the Government of the Orenburg. I was to attend and deliver a speech at the International Youth Forum, "Eurasia Global" 2024, in Orenburg, a city rich in history, nestled on the edge of Europe and Asia. My connection with Russia perhaps began in my early youth when I used to read the Urdu-translated works of Russian classic writers such as Alexander Pushkin, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Anton Chekhov, Maxim Gorky and Leo Tolstoy at home. It was at that time that I was exposed to the Russian way of life and culture. It left me with a deep desire to visit Russia, should the opportunity arise. I was excited at the prospect of participating in such a prestigious event, and the opportunity to finally visit Russia.

    Monument to Pushkin and Dal

    From Islamabad to Moscow: The Long-Awaited Journey Begins

    Early morning of September 23, 2024, I embarked on this journey, boarding my flight from Islamabad with a sense of both excitement and curiosity. The flight to Abu Dhabi was a smooth one and as we touched down, I prepared for a lengthy layover. Little did I know that the layover would extend beyond the expected eight hours, adding an additional four hours to my wait. Despite the delay, my anticipated excitement at reaching Moscow, kept my spirits high.

    After finally boarding my flight from Abu Dhabi to Moscow, I settled into my seat for the long journey ahead. There is something about air travel that has always appealed to me; perhaps it is the way the aircraft cuts through the clouds, steadfastly heading toward its destination, much like our own lives as we move through challenges with determination. Gazing out of the window as we soared above the earth, I couldn’t help but reflect on the parallels between the journey of life and this flight.

    Orenburg bridge

    We arrived at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport in the early hours of the morning, around 2:00 AM. Moscow’s vastness greeted me with an air of mystery. My next flight, a short two-and-a-half-hour hop to Orenburg, wasn’t scheduled until 6:35 AM, giving me a few hours to rest and prepare myself for what lay ahead. Despite the exhaustion from the long hours of travel, the excitement of finally arriving in Russia outweighed any weariness.

    First Impressions of Orenburg: The Gateway Between Europe and Asia

    Landing in Orenburg was like stepping into a world that straddles both the past and the present. The city is known for its educational institutions, particularly Orenburg State Medical University, which attracts students from around the world, including many from Pakistan and India. Beyond academia, Orenburg is renowned for its beautiful, handcrafted Orenburg shawls, a product of the city’s rich cultural heritage.

    What immediately struck me was the weather, it was colder than Moscow, with a crispness in the air that was invigorating. The city was in the full bloom of autumn, with the trees shedding their golden leaves. The sound of footsteps crunching on the dry leaves created a soundtrack that complemented the beauty of the landscape. This autumnal atmosphere reminded me of my childhood days in Gilgit, where the chill in the air and the yellow leaves falling to the ground would signal the arrival of winter.

    Ural River view

    The hospitality of the forum’s organizers was evident from the moment I arrived. After a quick transfer to the Fakel Hotel, situated in the Parkovy Prospekt area, we were given some time to freshen up and rest before the start of the event. However, a small incident during lunch highlighted both the cultural differences and the generosity of the people I was about to spend the week with. I had taken two bottles of water from the fridge in the hotel’s restaurant, only to be presented with a bill for 300 rubles. I had Visa and MasterCards, but as I quickly discovered, they don’t work in Russia. I handed the waitress a 5000-ruble note, which led to a good-natured laugh from her as she explained that they didn’t have change for such a large amount. A kind Russian woman sitting nearby offered to pay for me using her local credit card. I was deeply touched by her generosity, and when I attempted to repay her the next day, she refused, asking instead for a coin from my country as a souvenir. I happily obliged, presenting her with a Pakistani coin and gifting her son a traditional cap from Gilgit-Baltistan.

    Eurasia Global 2024: A Celebration of Friendship and Cultural Exchange

    The opening ceremony of the Eurasia Global 2024 forum was a spectacular affair, held late into the night. The theme, "To be friends in Russian," resonated throughout the event. Local performance groups from Orenburg showcased their talent in a grand display of traditional and modern music, dance and art. The ceremony culminated in a live performance by a famous Russian artist, which truly set the tone for the days to come.

    Cultural evening performance by the Orenburg State Academic Russian Folk Choir at the Orenburg Regional Philharmonic.

    The following day, the forum officially began with a Foresight Session that brought together participants from across the globe. This was an intellectually stimulating discussion where ideas flowed freely, and participants shared their visions for building lasting friendships through global cooperation. The forum aimed to foster cross-cultural dialogue and promote peace through youth collaboration, and it was inspiring to see the enthusiasm with which participants embraced these goals.

    During the opening ceremony, Daniil Bisslinger, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate (WYF), addressed the forum.

    The evenings were equally enriching, and on the second night, we attended a cultural evening at the Orenburg Regional Philharmonic. The Orenburg State Academic Russian Folk Choir performed, and the music they played, deeply rooted in Russian culture, resonated with the audience. It was a powerful reminder of the way music transcends language barriers and brings people together in shared emotion.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021