Guqin gains popularity among Chinese youth

Guqin, a plucked seven-string instrument, is a treasure of traditional Chinese music. Guqin was selected as an intangible world heritage in 2003. Now the 3,000-year-old musical instrument is again popular in China, specially among the younger generation.

Qu Teng, a Chinese teacher in her 40s, believes Guqin is highly valuable in art and culture. The key to playing the Guqin is to express the tone of ancient Chinese music with one’s own emotions.

As a world heritage, Guqin it is expected to be played by more, so that the public will preserve Guqin culture better. Li Xu, head of the Shenyang Guqin Cultural Exhibition Hall, is a veteran communicator of Guqin culture. Li has been teaching Guqin for over five years and earlier this year, she founded the exhibition hall her with friends.

"Guqin lovers have taken my lessons. Some of them are foreign fans of traditional Chinese culture," said Li. Among the expats is a Combodian, who brought Guqin to his hometown and make it popular there.

Lin Haiying, the fourth-generation inheritor of Mei'an Guqin school (one of the most representative schools of Chinese Guqin art), said that it is advisable for young people to spent their spare time with Guqin. This is effective in inheriting traditional culture.

Source: Yunnan Net; Trans-editing by Guo Yao