At the invitation of the Carolina-China Friendship and Exchange Association, Nanjing appeared as a representative of China at the 39th Raleigh Art Festival and the 3rd Chinese Art Festival of Raleigh. The Nanjing Week had a three-day campaign on the Raleigh Art Festival from May 19 to 21, 2018.
The Song of the Yangtze River is the theme song of The Story of the Yangtze River, a television documentary that was popular in China in the 1980s. The melody is exciting and the lyrics are magnificent. Through the description and praise of the Yangtze River, the longest river in China, the song expresses the deep affection of Chinese people to their motherland.
The closing ceremony saw the performance of The Song of the Yangtze River by Wan Lihui, the national first-class actor, mezzo-soprano, and member of the Chinese Musicians Association and Jiangsu Musicians Association. She has won several provincial awards and has played major roles in three operas.
The “Rap” with the longest history in China
Originating from the northern suburbs of Nanjing, Nanjing Baiju has been spreading for over 600 years through the mouths of the textile workers. The dialect used in Baiju is the most authentic and vernacular Nanjing dialect. The songs used in Baiju are folksongs in Jiangnan from Ming and Qing dynasties.
Liang Xiaolan from the Baiju Association in Nanjing City presented the ancient art at the closing ceremony of the Raleigh Art Festival, giving Raleigh citizens a different experience.
The North Carolina Youth Art Troupe gave a special performance of the classic dance “Mei” or “Plum blossom” at the closing ceremony as a tribute to Nanjing for their love of plum blossoms.
The Fragrance of Jasmine
Wang Yan, a young zither player from Nanjing, played The Fragrance of Jasmine at the closing ceremony of the Raleigh Art Festival.
On May 21 local time, the closing ceremony was held at Raleigh city. During the ceremony, Kunqu Opera costumes, musical instruments and other creative products were also displayed and sold outside the performing center.
