On the afternoon of October 28, the College of International Education organized a “Chinese Folk Music Appreciation Concert” for international students. Using aesthetic education as a bridge, the appreciation concert provided an immersive artistic experience, guiding students around the world to deeply appreciate the unique charm of outstanding traditional Chinese culture and further promoting cultural exchange and mutual learning between China and other countries.
(Scene from the folk music appreciation concert)
Centered around the core concept of “Immersive Experience + Cultural Interpretation”, the concert meticulously selected classic folk music pieces that are both representative and artistically impactful, such as “Spring Snow” and “Dance of the Yi People”. The program began with the national orchestral piece “Spring Snow”, its cheerful and bright melody setting the tone. The passionate tones of the erhu, the elegant sounds of the guzheng, and the lively notes of the pipa intertwined to create a flowing Eastern soundscape, instantly igniting the atmosphere. Subsequently, the pipa solo “Dance of the Yi People” painted a poetic picture, its melodies sketching a romantic scene of ethnic customs under the setting sun. Kira, an international student from Russia experiencing Chinese folk music for the first time, frequently recorded the highlights with her phone, exclaiming, “I’ve never heard such a combination of instruments before. Each sound is unique, yet they come together so harmoniously. It’s amazing!”
To enhance the educational impact of the aesthetic experience, the concert featured a special “Instrument Science Populization Interaction” segment. The performers not only demonstrated the playing techniques of traditional instruments like the guzheng, erhu, and pipa live but also explained their historical origins and cultural significance. The international students participated enthusiastically, actively learning related Chinese vocabulary and taking the stage to showcase what they had learned, creating a strong atmosphere of learning and exchange. Akbermet, an international student from Kyrgyzstan, shared, “This concert gave me a completely new understanding of Chinese music. I had no idea traditional instruments could perform such a rich variety of musical styles. I will study Chinese harder to get closer to Chinese culture.”
(An international student tries playing the guzheng)
(International students appreciate an erhu performance)
“Studying at SBS-Silk Road Melody”, as an international education brand of the university, is consistently committed to enhancing international students' cross-cultural understanding, aesthetic literacy, and comprehensive abilities through high-quality cultural, sports, and exchange activities. This Chinese Folk Music Appreciation Concert was not merely an auditory feast but also a vivid lesson in Chinese cultural aesthetic education. It effectively strengthened the international students’ emotional identification with “Knowing China and Fostering Friendship with China”, injecting cultural momentum into the cultivation of global talents with both an international perspective and an appreciation for Chinese culture.
(Group photo of the concert)
Written by: Zhang Ruyi
Photographed by: Zhang Ruyi
Reviewed by: Chen Wei
