Blogger’s Note: China’s unbridled charm offensive continues! Mao Zedong often spoke of “Puppet States” and “Paper Tigers” between cigarettes – but who would have thought that a mere 47-years after the passing of this Great Man – a number of US Citizens would be experiencing “BOTH” within the precincts of Fujian Eastern province’s ‘Zhangzhou‘ province! Of course, to be on the safe-side, the US ‘Delegation’ was not only “multicultural” – but even contained a Chinese expatriate – Tian Chao (田超) – presumably for “translation” purposes (as this young woman speaks fluent English and Chinese – and can read and write in both languages)! An “Official” translator is never far behind to ensure that all multicultural interactions unfold in a smooth and amicable fashion (on both sides). The names that I have comprising this US Delegation (including ‘Tian Chao’) are ‘Carla Canales’, ‘Tom Tisley’, ‘Monite Mesfin’ and ‘Josan Francis’. This non-governmental exchange was facilitated by the Zhangzhou People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries! ACW (30.5.2023)
023-05-29 Ecns.cn Editor：Zhang Dongfang
(ECNS) — A delegation of American artists gave the thumbs up to efforts in the ancient city protection and development of Zhangzhou in Southeast China’s Fujian Province on Saturday during their visit to the city for cultural exchange.
“I think actually Zhangzhou has a really special harmony, a harmony between history and modernity,” said Carla Canales, a well-known U.S. mezzo-soprano.
People here are warm and friendly, and their quality of life is good, so she is full of expectations for the subsequent trips.
“I am even more excited than our foreign friends,” said Tian Chao, a former member of the 12 Girls Band who has settled down in the U.S.
Tian said as Chinese, she is proud to see the remarkable achievements China has made in economic and social development. She hopes to make more contributions to China-U.S. artistic exchanges and mutual learning in the future.
During their visit, they came across folk artists performing Zhangzhou Xiang Opera on the street and they sang together well-known Chinese songs like Jasmine and I Love You China.
Tom Teasley, an American world percussionist, said he likes the bronze gong used in the Xiang Opera and hopes to bring it to America for music creation one day.
The five artists visited the Confucius Temple and puppet performance hall in the city and watched the members of its Puppet Show Troupe worship the drama god on the day.
Their visit began on Saturday and will end Wednesday (with tomorrow including a tour of the Hakka Roundhouses).
A series of featured activities held to celebrate the Zhangzhou Arts and Culture Week!
Chinese Language Reference:
https://www.huaxia.com/c/2023/05/28/1694880.shtml
“趣淘”漳州：美国知名艺术家点赞古城保护与开发
华夏经纬网 > 文化 > 文化交流 2023-05-28 19:34:15
中新网漳州5月28日电 (廖珍妹)参加“趣淘”漳州文化艺术周活动的美国知名艺术代表团27日在福建漳州古城感受当地深厚的历史文化。艺术家们纷纷点赞漳州古城的保护与开发，让人文和历史完美呈现。
“现代气息和历史底蕴，在漳州古城完美融合一起，很棒。”哈佛大学高级研究员、塔夫茨大学实践教授、知名歌剧歌唱家卡拉·卡纳莱斯称，古城呈现出现代与历史的和谐与平衡，让她感觉非常舒适;在与当地民众亲切交流后卡拉表示，民众热情友好，这里生活质量很高，她对接下去的行程充满期待。
据悉，此次代表团除卡拉外，另四位为美国世界打击乐演奏家汤姆·蒂思利，旅美青年扬琴演奏家、原“女子十二乐坊”成员田超，爵士乐歌手蒙尼特·梅斯芬，钢鼓音乐家乔珊·弗朗西斯。此行为漳州市人民对外友好协会发挥民间友好交流作用，诚邀并促成该代表团访问漳州。
“此次活动，不仅外国友人很兴奋，我更兴奋。”在美国生活多年的旅美青年扬琴演奏家、原“女子十二乐坊”成员田超称，她看到国内经济社会发展成果显著，人民生活幸福，作为中国人她感到自豪和高兴，希望未来为中美艺术交流互鉴做出更多贡献。
当天，美国艺术家还偶遇漳州古城芗剧“银丝演唱队”的民间艺术家周末献艺，首次接触非物质文化遗产芗剧的美国艺术家们，情不自禁与中国民间艺术家切磋技艺，大家临时“组团”即兴演奏乐器、合唱《茉莉花》《我爱你中国》等广为传唱的歌曲，中西艺术融合的无限精彩，引众多民众围观、拍照。
“今天的偶遇，呈现出一种东西方文化融合之美。”美国世界打击乐演奏家汤姆·蒂思利表示，他现场体验了芗剧中的乐器铜锣，感到新鲜和喜欢，希望有机会带回美国用于音乐创作中。
漳州是闽南文化重要发祥地，历史文化底蕴丰厚。当天，代表团一行在漳州古城参访文庙、木偶表演馆，参观木偶剧团全体新老成员祭拜戏神活动等，亲身感受中华优秀传统文化的传承与发展。
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 