【Same period】

Good bye.

【Commentary】On the afternoon of May 5th, the American artist delegation ended the experience activity at the Zhangzhou Pian Zixi Museum, and the five-day "Qutao" Zhangzhou Culture and Art Week came to a successful end. On the occasion of parting, five American artists posed for photos with their Chinese friends and waved goodbye.

【Commentary】It is understood that the invited Chinese and foreign artists visited the ancient city of Zhangzhou, Nanjing Tulou, Eryi Building of Hua'an County and other places during the event, and experienced the profound southern Fujian culture and rich and colorful intangible cultural heritage art.

[Contemporaneous] steel drum musician Josan Francis

All these different cultures are something I've never experienced before, and the puppets and everything, especially last night's bonfire, was my favorite, and the bonfire, dancing, chanting, made me feel great from the bones. I can't wait to return to the U.S. and share my experiences with my family, friends, students, and anyone.

Percussionist Tom Tisley

I stand up and play drums with them when I happen to see someone playing a drum, and I think it's natural, and in my opinion these are the richest exchanges.

【Commentary】During the event, Chinese and foreign artists jointly performed many wonderful programs. American percussionist Tom Tisley and U.S. dulcimer player Tian Chao composed the music live and composed "Minnan" to Zhangzhou. Chen Lihui, the inheritor of Zhangzhou puppet show, and the American opera singer Carla Canales' performance of "Carmen" won applause from the audience.

【Contemporaneous】 Chen Lihui, inheritor of Zhangzhou puppet show

The eyes are interacting, including people and puppets are interacting, and my biggest impression is that she ended (action) at the end, she just happened to have her hand raised, and my puppet also played with the water sleeve, and I felt very good. We hope to show our Chinese cultural self-confidence through such cultural mutual learning.

Many of the American artists visiting this time came to China for the first time, and the close exchanges with the locals in Zhangzhou gave them a more vivid and intuitive experience of China.

American opera singer Carla Canales

From the moment I came to China, I fell in love with China, and I think the reason is that I also feel loved here. The people here are very warm, hardworking, reliable, responsible, and in addition to that, Chinese have a beautiful heart, which is something very special and precious to me.

As the exchange deepened, many American artists and locals made friends. Carla and a local 11-year-old friend, Huang Yicheng, formed a "pen pal", and they agreed to keep in touch in the future, and Carla also said that she would learn from Wong Yicheng Chinese.

American opera singer Carla Canales

I think it was the beginning of a friendship, but allow me to say that he was not only my Chinese teacher, but he also gave me a lesson on what it means to be a friend, a lesson that I will never forget for the rest of my life.

As one of the promoters of this activity, Chinese musician Tian Chao also hopes that such activities can be carried out more often, and promote the friendship between Chinese and foreign people through non-governmental exchanges.

【During the same period】Tian Chao, a young dulcimer player in the United States

People to People is a non-governmental activity that can promote friendly exchanges between people in different regions, and I would like to serve as such a bridge.

Sun Hengye reported from Zhangzhou, Fujian

Responsible Editor: [Lu Yan]