International exchanges aim to enhance global vision

Wuxi is showcasing its unique charm and global vision by using musical activities to bolster cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and the international community.

Since 2020, the city has placed greater emphasis on using music as a medium to boost regional and foreign cooperation, enhance the city's creative capabilities and contribute to achieving the goals of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, a flagship program established in 2004 to bring together cities that have identified culture and creativity as strategic agents in driving sustainable growth.

Groups such as the Wuxi Chinese Orchestra, Wuxi Symphony Orchestra and Wuxi Song and Dance Theatre have traveled to Mauritius, France, Portugal, the United Kingdom, the United States, Belgium, Japan, Australia, Russia, Canada, Germany and other countries to perform, bringing the innovative achievements of music with Jiangnan aesthetic characteristics and profound traditions to audiences worldwide.

As well, Wuxi has initiated a global plan to promote traditional folk music. In May and September, it staged activities in France, Portugal and Germany under the themes of Chinese music and civilizations. Through performances of traditional music and displays of intangible cultural heritage, bridges for diverse exchanges and mutual learning were established.

This year, Wuxi launched an international musician residency program, recruiting up to five foreigners to come to the city for artistic residencies, life experience, creative work, exhibitions and cultural exchanges to enhance the development and dissemination of global music.

With the accordion and harmonica as their main themes, the inaugural contingent of international masters interacted with local musicians, created new works, instructed special groups and showcased the results of Chinese and foreign music creativity through forms such as master classes, meetings and roadshows. Specifically, Russian accordion players Eduard Akhanov and Sergey Osokin, Portuguese accordion player Vitor Pastor and Italian harmonica player Max De Aloe, along with Marek Jaroszynski, head of the renowned Polish harmonica group Trio Animato, and Brazilian blues harmonica player Santos Ivan Marcio were the first batch of musicians to reside in Wuxi. During their stay, they conducted charity classes, participated in performances, and visited cultural venues and enterprises.

Wuxi is also expanding domestic touring exchanges. In May, Wuxi Symphony Orchestra embarked on a tour of cities in the Yangtze River Delta region, receiving enthusiastic responses from the industry. As well, the Xiju opera Red Bean was performed at major universities such as Peking University, Tsinghua University and Zhejiang University, while Wuxi Song and Dance Theatre created the dance drama 10909, which became one of the popular plays in the performance market.

Other important events included the 14th Asia-Pacific Harmonica Festival in August, which attracted 2,500 players from 33 countries and regions. Through performances, lectures, teacher training, master classes, opening and closing concerts, master concerts, jazz concerts, and harmonica grading, the event enhanced the international influence of local music in Wuxi.

Moving forward, Wuxi plans to hold multiple international music salons annually, inviting world-renowned musicians and representatives from the industry to share global development trends and experiences. It also plans to organize music exchange camps for Chinese and foreign youth enthusiasts, offering training in traditional Chinese musical instruments, as well as research visits and exchange performances.