"Water Cube" adult champion Duan Zhenzhen: singing is an expression of emotion

  Reporter: Ma Xiuxiu

  "A big river has wide waves, and the wind blows on both sides of the rice and flowers." At the end of the 2020 "Cultural China·Water Cube Cup" Overseas Chinese and Hong Kong and Macao Youth Chinese Song Contest Overseas Adult Group Finals, the 37-year-old British contestant chose Zhenzhen Jane sang the song "My Motherland".

Her singing voice was tactful and high-pitched, and her singing was natural and affectionate, and she eventually won the championship in the adult category.

  "The true feeling can be felt without much language." Guo Zhen, one of the judges and a teacher at the China Conservatory of Music, said that Duan Zhenzhen’s singing sense is just right, and he has a strong ability to control the sound; he has a variety of timbre singing ability, but does not show off his skills. , But from the bottom of my heart, "Very good."

I feel very happy to sing "My Motherland"

  Duan Zhenzhen has lived in the UK for 15 years since studying in the UK in 2005.

  Before going abroad, she studied vocal music at Henan Art School, and later experienced three years of military life.

She said that she hopes that through more experiences, people will have more different experiences.

  Since childhood, Duan Zhenzhen has liked singing very much.

In these years in the UK, although she mainly made a living, she never gave up her love of singing.

She always sings a few words when she is walking on the street, holding a child, or in the park.

The picture shows the celebration of overseas Chinese associations, Duan Zhenzhen sang in the audience.

Photo courtesy of the interviewee.

  "When I leave home, I know the warmth of home and how difficult it is to go home." Duan Zhenzhen said that after going abroad, there are many sadness, hardships and helplessness, but she often sings "My Motherland" and "I Love You China". With these songs, I feel very happy, "I have hope in my heart."

  Until now, Duan Zhenzhen still retains Chinese nationality.

She said that she hoped that one day she would be able to return to China and find her childhood companions and former comrades-in-arms. Everyone would sing and dance square dancing together. "I look forward to that kind of life."

Singing is an expression of emotion

  "As for singing Chinese songs, the biggest feeling is that singing used to be, but now it is expression." Duan Zhenzhen said frankly, because her voice is good, she used to think singing was easy, and she didn't think about the meaning of the lyrics at the time; but now she sings. Especially when singing songs about the motherland, there will be a very rich picture in front of you, and the excitement will flow in my heart.

  "A lot of people say,'Going abroad is more patriotic', it is true." She said that many times she sang "My Motherland" and other songs to express her inner feelings through singing.

"Before I was more accustomed to singing sonorous and powerful songs. I never thought that I could perform a delicate and emotional style. It was a series of experiences overseas that gave me a deep understanding."

  Duan Zhenzhen sang "My Motherland" for the first time at the 2017 National Day Gala organized by the Overseas Chinese Association.

She introduced that, unlike domestic professional troupes, in the UK, overseas Chinese from all directions often gather together to organize similar activities in the form of charity, and there will be corresponding performances at the end of the year.

The picture shows Duan Zhenzhen participating in the All-British Chinese Spring Festival Gala with the young actors from the Chinese school.

Photo courtesy of the interviewee.

  "It's actually not easy going out to perform." Duan Zhenzhen said frankly, because he has two children, and usually has to work, going out has become a relatively extravagant thing.

"Nevertheless, at the end of each year, no matter how much money or effort I have, I have to finish the performance."

  This is the second time that Duan Zhenzhen participated in the "Water Cube Cup" Chinese Song Contest.

She said that the "Water Cube Cup" Chinese Song Contest has been held ten times so far.

In the past ten years, thanks to the organizers of the British competition region for setting up a platform, "allowing us to represent the overseas Chinese in the UK to participate in the competition and express our hearts."

Fellow unity is a powerful force

  In the process of working in the catering industry with her husband, Duan Zhenzhen became acquainted with many international students.

Whenever everyone encounters difficulties in life and study, Duan Zhenzhen will always find ways to help.

Because of this, international students often call her "mother" affectionately.

  During the new crown pneumonia epidemic, faced with many problems such as the difficulties faced by overseas Chinese and overseas students, Duan Zhenzhen went around to contact free clinics for them.

  "Overseas, if everyone can unite, it is a very happy thing and will form a powerful force." Duan Zhenzhen said that this competition also made her feel the unity of her compatriots.

  Unlike previous competitions, this "Water Cube" is an online competition, and there is also a need for video recording.

Duan Zhenzhen said frankly that she had no idea about the concept of "online competitions" at first. Many local students rushed to their homes at the risk of the epidemic to help test the network over and over again. Some even borrowed cameras, sound cards, etc. to build perfect ones for her. The scene of the game.

The picture shows a screenshot of Duan Zhenzhen at the finals.

  The night before the finals, Duan Zhenzhen had been thinking about how to perform the song "My Motherland" well.

Temporarily, she wanted to add a monologue expressing her heart.

But because of this change, the accompaniment part needs to be adjusted accordingly.

So she found two overseas Chinese in the middle of the night, and they also helped the first time.

Use music to build a bridge between China and foreign countries

  Although there are not many opportunities to perform on stage nowadays, Duan Zhenzhen often finds opportunities to sing Chinese songs for the locals.

  She introduced that some clubs organize some activities with local organizations every year.

At that time, she would sing Chinese songs and dance Chinese dances.

Although she is not a professional dancer, she brings a different ethnic style every time.

The picture shows Duan Zhenzhen's performance.

Photo courtesy of the interviewee.

  Duan Zhenzhen participates in similar activities almost two to three times a year.

Although sometimes the equipment is rudimentary with only mobile phone music accompaniment, Duan Zhenzhen, who sings in front of everyone, never tires.

  "They described it as the beautiful voice of China." She told reporters that local people often expressed shock at her folk songs.

Especially when she stood in an empty square and sang "Qinghai-Tibet Plateau" loudly, pedestrians were always attracted to stop, and then everyone gave their thumbs up and said, "I like it. (I like this song)."

  Duan Zhenzhen also introduced that every Chinese New Year, many private schools in the UK would ask her to recommend and introduce Chinese songs to the children, and she would also tell Chinese stories through Chinese songs; the teachers of her children’s school would often invite her for The children in the class sang Chinese songs to let the children feel the Chinese language, Chinese songs and Chinese stories.

  "This also allows children to have a certain understanding of the differences between Chinese and foreign cultures from an early age." Duan Zhenzhen said that she will continue to let more people know Chinese stories through her singing.

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