Guqin concert strings together music and friendship

On the morning of Thursday, about 60 guqin (a plucked seven-stringed instrument created in ancient China) enthusiasts from across the country gathered at the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing, performing together in a concert, bringing the curtains down on a guqin summer camp.

Ranging in age from 7 to 51, they shared a two-and-a-half-day summer camp experience filled with music and friendship. Guqin teacher Li Fengyun, xun (Chinese vessel flute made of pottery, one of the oldest known Chinese instruments), dizi (flute) and xiao (end-blown bamboo flute) teacher Wang Jianxin, and their assistants gave demonstrations, and one-on-one guidance to the guqin lovers.

During the concert, they presented a refined performance, featuring ensembles and solos, and performances combining guqin, dance, and poetry recitations, including pieces such as Ode to Joy, Gusu Travel, and Remembering Old Friends, which received enthusiastic applause from the audience.

After the concert, the teachers awarded certificates of completion to all participants and took group photos to commemorate this precious musical experience.

"This is already our fourth year of hosting the guqin and xiao summer camp. Some participants are new, while others have shared many wonderful summers with us. We are committed to preserving and transmitting the most authentic Chinese cultural heritage," said Li.

"Among the students, there are both new faces and returning participants. I am deeply moved that students can revisit and delve into learning dizi, xiao, and xun. After the initial novelty, they gradually appreciate how these instruments harmonize the mind and body and deepen their understanding of beauty," said Wang.

The summer camp is part of the ongoing annual Gateway to Arts summer festival, which runs till Aug 31. Since 1995, the annual festival, which is one of Beijing's biggest arts festivals for children during the summer vacation, has gained a large fan base.