Folk song event attracts large audience at Beijing Library

On Saturday, a Beijing folk song reading and enjoying event was held at the Beijing Library, where readers immersed themselves in the enchanting world of folk songs, experiencing the cultural charm of Beijing's traditional folk music.

As part of a folk song journey across Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi, and Inner Mongolia, the folk song-themed event was organized by the Capital Library of China in collaboration with the Tianjin Library, Hebei Provincial Library, Shanxi Provincial Library, and Inner Mongolia Library. Titled "Chinese Music: The Everlasting Folk Songs", the event aimed to celebrate the rich heritage of Chinese folk music.

In her opening speech, Mao Yajun, head of the Capital Library of China, emphasized that folk songs are a cultural treasure of the Chinese nation. She noted that North China, with its diverse geographical environments and cultural landscapes, boasts a long history of folk songs that are unique in style and the event sought to showcase the cultural charm of different regions. Mao hoped that the event would help more people recognize and understand these precious cultural heritages, evoking unforgettable memories of hometowns and loved ones while fostering a sense of warmth and connection through familiar dialects and sentiments. She also highlighted that this event represents a new approach by public libraries to innovate reading promotion models.

At the event, 81-year-old Chang Fuyao and 74-year-old Zhang Guobao, both inheritors of intangible cultural heritage, delivered a stirring performance of the Tongzhou Canal Work Song. Their powerful voices reminded the audience of the bustling scenes of laborers working along the canal in days gone by.

Chen Shulin, Zhang Tiantong, and Zhou Bin performed the world-renowned folk song Jasmine Flower, which has multiple versions ranging from Beijing to Hebei and Jiangsu. A choir of Beijing Bayi School performed the spirited Anti-War Ballad and the playful Water Buffalo, showcasing the younger generation's reflection, understanding, and love for folk songs. As performers and inheritors, they demonstrated the vitality, hope, and future of folk songs in the new era.

Following the appreciation event, a Beijing folk song study tour will commence a week later. Led by folk song experts, the tour will include representatives from the audience who will visit the birthplaces of folk songs, conduct on-site investigations, and interact with folk song singers, promoters, and researchers. Participants will learn to sing a folk song, experience local customs, and embark on a unique reading journey.