The Eastbound of Tulou set off. (Photo by Chen Yi)
Ms. Zheng Xiaoying, the notable conductor and art director of Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra, presents the model of World Cultural Heritage property Zhencheng Lou, which is regarded as Tulou Prince, as a gift to the local organizer. (Photo by Chen Yi)
On 2nd through 16th October Beijing time, Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Chen Lihua, Deputy Director of Fujian Provincial Cultural Department, and Ms. Zheng Xiaoying, the notable conductor and art director of Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra, made performance tour in North America. The model of Fujian Tulou was named the official gift of Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra during this visit. Fujian Tulou Hakka Yongding special edition was included in the playbill of the performance.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relationship between China and US, upon invitation of Canadian and US parts, Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Chen Lihua and Zheng Xiaoying, made tour performance called Eastbound of Tulou in Canada and US. Upon arrival in Richmond of Vancouver on 2nd October afternoon local time, the delegation was warmly welcome by the City Council of Richmond and Mayor Malcolm Brodie, Richmond Sister City Committee, Canadian Fujianese Friendship Association, Canadian Xiamen Friendship Association and etc.
The Eastbound of Tulou performance tour of Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra was approved by State Ministry of Culture and is one of the major foreign cultural exchange projects of Fujian Province. The Echoes of Tulou , China s First Music Golden Bell Awards winner masterminded by Pro. Zheng Xiaoying and composed by Pro. Liu Yuan, is the staple music of the performance. The Echoes of Tulou reflects the spirit of Hakka people s solidarity, striving, struggling for better life, and is regarded as Hakka s epic. Before, XPO made performance tours and played Echoes of Tulou in Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Japan and so on. Richmond was the first stop of the Eastbound of Tulou , San Francisco and Los Angeles followed. 80-year-old folksong master Li Tiansheng and folk artist Zhan Jinjin from Longyan performed with the Orchestra on its tour.
