Strumming the "Chord of Friendship" Between China and Mauritius with Folk Music

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Date:2024-10-05

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Recently, invited jointly by the Chinese Embassy in Mauritius and the Mauritius China Cultural Center, Li Bo, member of the Party Committee and Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Committee, led the Chinese Chamber Orchestra to Mauritius to participate in the "Harmony of the East" Chinese Music Concert and the "Harmony Across the Globe" National Day Chinese Music Concert.

The two concerts were held at the Bambous-les-Bains Municipal Hall and the Mauritius China Cultural Center, respectively. Zhu Liying, Ambassador of China to Mauritius, and his wife Ying Qunhua, Doriawu, Minister of Social Integration of Mauritius, Dansingani, Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Education, Jouton, Director of the Film Development Bureau, Oudier, Mayor of Bambous-les-Bains, Gula, Inspector of Children's Affairs, Ramnot, Director of the National Library, Rico, Director of the Mitterrand Conservatory of Music, Yang Jun, Director of the China Cultural Center, and more than 500 audience members watched the artists' wonderful performances together. The Mauritian national television broadcasted the concerts.

The Chinese Chamber Orchestra passionately performed classic pieces from both China and abroad, sharing with the audience the joy of the Chinese people in celebrating the National Day through music. The "Harmony of the East" Chinese Music Concert centered on traditional Chinese music, showcasing the unique charm of Eastern culture. The concert opened with the string and wind ensemble "Spring River Moon Night," whose melodious melody was as captivating as the shimmering ripples on the river. The traditional piece "Plum Blossom Tune in Three Variations" was given new life with a modern interpretation, while "Poetic Language of the South" delicately depicted the gentleness and elegance of the water towns in the south of the Yangtze River. The songs "Wuxi Scene," "San Wu Qi," "The Sun Comes Out, Merry and Bright," "Flower Basket," "Big Yangko Dance," and "Horse Racing" vividly displayed the liveliness and joy of traditional music. Notably, the orchestra also incorporated Mauritian folk song "Latani" and African rhythm "Happy Song and Dance," demonstrating the diverse fusion of music. The concert concluded with the enchanting melody of "Flowers Bloom and the Moon is Full," bringing the concert to a perfect end.

The following day, the "Harmony Across the Globe" National Day Chinese Music Concert, themed on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, featured selected pieces with strong Chinese characteristics. "Spring River Moon Night" was performed again, while the erhu piece "Beautiful Night" was fresh and lively, expressing the joy of spending a pleasant night together. Guzheng "Poetic Language of the South," gaohu "Festival Joy," and other pieces presented the diversity and richness of traditional Chinese music. "The Sun Comes Out, Merry and Bright," "Flower Basket," and "Big Yangko Dance" fully demonstrated the charm of folk music. "My Motherland" and "My Motherland and I" touched the deep feelings of the Chinese audience present for their great motherland. The concert concluded again with "Flowers Bloom and the Moon is Full," pushing the atmosphere to a climax and symbolizing the everlasting friendship between China and Mauritius as they move towards a better future together.

After the performance, the applause lasted for a long time. Ambassador Zhu Liying extended warm congratulations on the success of the concert and thanked the Chinese Chamber Orchestra for conveying friendly sentiments to the Mauritian people through music and letting them experience the beauty of Chinese folk music.

Doriawu said that what is ethnic is global, and the orchestra's performance allowed Mauritian citizens to appreciate the charm of traditional Chinese music, promoting exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and Mauritian civilizations and enhancing people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding between the two countries. Rico expressed admiration for the orchestra's precision in performance and mastery of rhythm. Chulun, a city councilor from Bambous-les-Bains, praised the concert as "perfect." The guests present rushed to congratulate the orchestra, and some young audience members, deeply moved, asked the performers for autographs as souvenirs.

Members of the delegation were also invited to the Chinese Embassy in Mauritius to engage in relevant exchange activities. Li Bo expressed gratitude to the embassy for its strong support for this visit and the concert and briefed Ambassador Zhu Liying on the development of Zhejiang Conservatory of Music. Ambassador Zhu Liying commended the orchestra's heartfelt performance and hoped that Zhejiang Conservatory of Music would continue to make positive contributions to promoting friendship between China and Mauritius.