Diplomats in China Visit Northern Shaanxi Folk Song Museum, Immersing in 'Different Romance' of Loess Plateau

On June 4, 18 diplomats posted in China from 16 countries visited Yulin City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. They explored the Northern Shaanxi Folk Song Museum, where they delighted in the robust haozi folk songs, sang the free-spirited and melodious xintianyou, and appreciated the delicate xiaodiao (small tunes). This cultural journey offered them a different romantic experience of the Loess Plateau's charm.

Diplomats posted in China visit the Northern Shaanxi Folk Song Museum.

Situated in Yuyang District, Yulin City, the Northern Shaanxi Folk Song Museum spans 11,800 sqm, with an exhibition space of roughly 5,680 sqm. The museum's extensive collection is organized into eight sections: an entrance hall; four thematic galleries (namely, Traditional Northern Shaanxi Folk Songs, Revolutionary Northern Shaanxi Folk Songs, Northern Shaanxi Folk Songs from the PRC's First 30 Years, and Northern Shaanxi Folk Songs of the New Era); and three special galleries (Northern Shaanxi Folk Music and Art, In-Depth Studies on Northern Shaanxi Folk Songs, and a Temporary Exhibition Area). It is the sole museum in China dedicated to the northern Shaanxi culture, with its folk music as the centerpiece. It offers a window into the region's evolution and encapsulates its historical and cultural spirit. This specialized museum is a holistic center for the research, creation, training, exchange, performance promotion, and product development of folk songs.

The diplomats are engaging in interactive sessions with performers.

During their visit, the diplomats actively engaged with the local culture, singing xintianyou songs, delving into the stories behind the song Lan Huahua, and attempting to play the Yulin xiaoqu, a local melody. NIFABRO SERGE PALENFO, the Burkina Faso diplomat in China, has expressed his admiration for the northern Shaanxi folk songs, finding them incredibly impressive. He noted that these songs often convey themes of love, labor and strength, and when these three elements converge, they underpin China's unstoppable momentum. He shared his insights: "In my youth, I watched films showcasing China's powerful cultural heritage. China has made excellent choices and embarked on a remarkable path, serving as a model revered globally." In his concluding remarks, NIFABRO SERGE PALENFO emphasized, "We should inherit the past, draw wisdom from it to position ourselves in the present, and gather nourishment and energy to progress towards the future."

The diplomats experience the art of sanxian (three-stringed Chinese lute) playing.

To this day, northern Shaanxi folk songs have spread beyond the Loess Plateau, gaining popularity across China and even attracting a global following. MARTIN HOSEK, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in China, highlighted that folk songs from various countries can share common themes and emotions. The direct and sincere northern Shaanxi folk songs, with their distinctive artistic allure, are emerging as a significant cultural link that connects the world. (Photo by Qiao Yongzhen)