Denise Bax, secretary of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, speaks at the ceremony in Wuxi on Nov 15. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]
Denise Bax, secretary of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, presented Wuxi, Jiangsu province, with a certificate designating it as a UNESCO City of Music on Nov 15.
In an exclusive interview with Wuxi Daily, Bax shared her first impressions of Wuxi and the unique charm of its music, expressing her optimism for the city's future.
"There is music here, but it's not just about music; it's a museum, an ecosystem where everyone in the city participates in its creation," she said, conveying her admiration for Wuxi during her visit.
What truly distinguishes Wuxi from other candidate cities is its vibrant musical culture. Bax highlighted the graceful charm of Xiju Opera, the beautiful sounds of the erhu, and the elegant tones of the flute, which collectively shape Wuxi's unique musical identity.
In Wuxi, many primary schools have erhu clubs, senior universities offer opera classes, professional troupes revive classic performances, and community groups spontaneously promote traditional music. This widespread participation and intergenerational cultural atmosphere provide a solid foundation for Wuxi's music scene, a key factor that impressed the evaluators.
Bax noted that Wuxi brings traditional music out of the theater and into everyday life, preserving its artistic authenticity while infusing it with contemporary vitality. This approach not only safeguards cultural roots but also showcases the profound allure of traditional Chinese music to the world, injecting vibrant Eastern energy into global cultural diversity. She expressed hope that Wuxi would continue to cultivate its unique characteristics and build a more influential cultural brand.
Discussing the future direction of Wuxi's musical development, she advised the city to focus on its musical heritage and regional characteristics, while exploring innovative forms of musical expression. Finally, she said she hopes that Wuxi will continue connecting hearts and communicating with the world through music, becoming a model city where music nourishes the city and the city enhances music.
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