Folk art gala energizes cultural vitality in Yaozhou, Shaanxi

A two-day folk-art event brought laughter, music, and traditional Chinese performances to Yaozhou district in Tongchuan, Shaanxi province, on October 11-12, giving residents a chance to enjoy performances by some of China's best-known folk artists.

The highlight was a gala on the evening of Oct 12 at the square of Yaowang Mountain Scenic Area. Hosted by China Media Group presenters Wang Wenhua and Ma Yue, the show featured a lively mix of cross-talk, comedy sketches, vocal performances, electronic organ music, northern Shaanxi storytelling, poetry recitals, and errenzhuan, a traditional song-and-dance form from Northeast China.

Renowned artists including Feng Gong, Jia Xuming, Gong Hanlin, Jin Zhu, Chen Sisi, and Miao Fu took the stage, drawing enthusiastic applause and cheers. With humor, music, and regional traditions, the performances offered a glimpse into the diversity of Chinese folk arts.

The event also featured displays of Tongchuan's intangible cultural heritage crafts and local agricultural specialties. Two art troupes traveled to villages including Cuixing, Beiliang, and Liulin in Yaozhou, bringing performances directly to rural residents and making quality cultural programs more accessible to local communities.

Yaozhou has a rich cultural legacy. It is the hometown of Sun Simiao, a renowned Tang Dynasty (618-907) physician known as the "King of Medicine," and Liu Gongquan (778-865), a celebrated calligrapher. The district is also home to the Zhaojin revolutionary base and is known for its natural scenery and distinctive local industries.

The event was part of the national "Bring Joy to the People" cultural program, jointly sponsored by the Bureau of Art, the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the China Quyi Artists Association, and the Publicity Department of the CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee.

It was organized by the Shaanxi Federation of Literary and Art Circles, the Shaanxi Quyi Artists Association, and the Publicity Department of the CPC Tongchuan Municipal Committee, with the CPC Yaozhou District Committee and the Yaozhou District People's Government among the co-organizers.

By bringing professional performances into local communities and showcasing regional traditions, the event enriched residents' cultural lives while highlighting Yaozhou's heritage and cultural tourism appeal.