Kunshan pair brings Jiangsu folk music to the US

Two Kunshan natives, Chinese bamboo flutist Chen Dongbao, and folk singer Shen Liping, introduced the US to traditional Kunshan folk music during a performance at the closing ceremony of the 2016 Chinese Culture Festival at California State University in Long Beach, California on Oct 28.

Shen, hailing from Bacheng in northern Kunshan, is the inheritor of traditional folk songs that mostly describe the idyllic lifestyle and beautiful scenery in the area.

The song titled Daliangpeng that she chose to perform at the festival is one fine example of her repertoire. Accompanied by Chen’s traditional Chinese instrumental music, the melodious song delighted the American audience at the festival, which also included many overseas Chinese.

The closing ceremony also included performances of tai chi and more traditional Chinese musical instruments such as the guzheng and hulusi.

Many local dignitaries including Congressman Alan Lowenthal attended the ceremony.

With a focus on promoting traditional Chinese art and music, the festival, taking place for the fifth time this year, included craft and painting exhibitions, art seminars, and demonstrations of tea ceremonies in its five-day itinerary starting from Oct 24.

International Daily News, the Chinese-language newspaper published in Southern California, helped to organize the event.

Chen Dongbao (left) and Shen Liping (right) holding certificates of merit issued by the organizer of the event.[Photo provided to the Wechat account of Kunshan Tourism]