Chinese choir taps Russian soul

Sixty-four-year-old archaeologist Chen Chunsheng finds pleasure not in writing research papers, but singing Russian songs in a choir.

He shares his passion with 40 other members, aged mostly in their 50s and 60s. The group met through a Russian singing group in Jingshan Park in Beijing. In 2006, they formed a smaller group "Friends of Russia" and made it a routine that they practice singing twice a week in residential activity centers.

"It is the happiest moment in the whole week. I forget all trivial matters and these beautiful songs remind me of the memories of being young," Chen says.