German violinist Ulrich Edelmann (L, front) and Chinese erhu player Zhu Changyao (R, front) perform the Chinese classic "Butterfly Lovers" during a concert of the "Jiangsu Week of Chinese Folk Music" in Stuttgart, Germany, Sept. 18, 2024. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu)
by Xinhua writers Chu Yi, Yuan Hengrui, Du Zheyu
STUTTGART, Germany, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Clad in an elegant, embroidered Chinese outfit, Hans Peter Graether stood out among the audience at a Chinese folk music concert in Stuttgart, Germany on Wednesday night. Calling himself a passionate admirer of Chinese culture, Graether said he never missed a chance to immerse himself in a Chinese-themed event.
The concert, featuring performers from east China's Jiangsu Province, was a key event in the "Jiangsu Week of Chinese Folk Music" which kicked off on Wednesday. At the same time, an exhibition titled "The Grand Canal Meets the Rhine River" was also on display, symbolizing a cultural connection between China and Germany.
"The concert was very pleasant and well-received. The applause clearly showed the audience's appreciation," Graether told Xinhua.
Graether demonstrated several Chinese phrases he had learned before. "I've traveled to China more than 100 times and once worked for a company in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu Province," he said. "I have a deep love for Chinese culture and a genuine appreciation for interacting with the Chinese people. Whenever there's a cultural event related to China in Germany, I'd surely attend."
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the friendship between Jiangsu and Germany's Baden-Wuerttemberg. Hu Zhu, deputy director of the Jiangsu provincial government information office, said at the opening ceremony that music serves as a bridge for exchange and mutual learning across borders.
"We hope this event marks a new beginning for deeper cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and Germany, and that it strengthens the partnership between Jiangsu and Baden-Wuerttemberg, leading to even more fruitful outcomes," said Hu.
The concert featured a collaborative performance by German violinist Ulrich Edelmann and Chinese erhu player Zhu Changyao, who performed the Chinese classic "Butterfly Lovers" alongside Mozart's "Serenade for Strings in G Major." Their performance captivated the audience, bringing the atmosphere to its peak.
Reflecting on the offer to perform, Edelmann said it was his first exposure to Chinese folk music, which opened up a new world for him.
"I never imagined I would perform Chinese folk music, it's been an incredible experience. Today's performance was fantastic, and I learned so much," said Edelmann.
The success of this performance has left Edelmann eager for future collaborations with more Chinese orchestras. "Maybe one day, I'll even perform in China," he added.
Artists from east China's Jiangsu Province perform during a concert of the "Jiangsu Week of Chinese Folk Music" in Stuttgart, Germany, Sept. 18, 2024. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu)
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