Page 14 - YunnanTourismCultureTimes (111)

13 CITY LIFE | 城事

Music has no borders

我们有共鸣

The Lancang-Mekong River gracefully winds its way, larly, Ha Thi Lan Phuong, a Vietnamese student at Yunnan
intricately connecting the rich cultural heritage of the six University, expressed a strong affinity for China’s Pu’er tea
countries in its basin. As wish-filled water lanterns gently culture. “This is my third visit to Xishuangbanna,” she said.
drift down the Lancang and the songs of young people from “I’ve explored tea mountains and plantations, and experi-
diverse nations echo through the Xishuangbanna night sky, enced tea picking and processing firsthand. Tea cultivation
language barriers dissolve in shared laughter, and mutu- in Vietnam also boasts a long history, sharing intricate con-
al understanding deepens through lively interaction. Sun nections with Chinese tea art traditions.”
Biao, a Chinese Dai singer, played a central role, leading Thai singer Nid Nidawan’s prior impression of China’s
participants from various countries in releasing water and Water Splashing Festival as “gentle and elegant” was com-
sky lanterns, performing traditional Dai dances, watching pletely transformed after her personal participation. “At the
festive parades, and exploring local Dai villages. He adept- Water Splashing Square, everyone was joyfully splashing
ly used music as a powerful bridge for cross-cultural com- blessings, dancing ‘Dai disco,’ and experiencing the tradi-
munication. “Music and smiles are the most effective forms tional Yunnan Datiao dance. The level of enthusiasm here
of communication,” Sun Biao remarked. “Every lantern was absolutely on par with Thailand’s Songkran Festival,”
we release carries good wishes, and every splash of water she remarked. She further stated that while the Water
we share brings sincere blessings. These tangible shared Splashing Festivals in Thailand and China may differ in
experiences allow cultural differences to gracefully dissolve form, they both share the common spirit of bestowing new
amidst laughter and joy.” year blessings and celebrating life. An even deeper sense
Sun Biao further noted that cultural traditions such as of connection arose when, visiting the market in Manjingbao
the Dai Peacock Dance, Elephant Foot Drum Dance, and Village, she found that the linguistic similarities between Thai
Hani Mang Drum Dance represent vibrant contributions and Dai enabled seamless communication with local vendors.
from Xishuangbanna to its Lancang-Mekong partners. He “This feeling of linguistic connection was like walking
emphasized that cultural exchange is inherently recipro- through the streets and alleys of Thailand,” she described.
cal, never a one-way street. For instance, the “Dai Disco,” Sun Biao and Thai singer Nid Nidawan both highlighted
a popular musical style among young Dai people today, the unifying power of music. Sun Biao, who had studied
draws its background music from Cambodian electronic in Thailand and faced no language barriers, shared that he
dance music. “This shared cultural essence fosters a unique had extensive discussions and plans regarding music with
sense of closeness among young people during their inter- Nid Nidawan. “After performing on stage with the singer
actions,” Sun Biao explained. from Thailand this time, we made a new agreement: in the
Pengdy Laolou, a Laotian student at Xishuangbanna future, we will jointly create a song that blends Chinese and
Vocational and Technical College, experienced the Chinese Thai cultures, and we might even film a music video in both
Water Splashing Festival for the first time. What she most an- China and Thailand, incorporating cultural symbols from
ticipated was “having a water fight with friends from various both countries,” he explained. Nid Nidawan echoed this
countries.” When speaking of Laos’s Water Splashing Festival, sentiment, saying, “Music has no borders; it can connect
she chuckled, “Back home, we also have singing and danc- people from diverse backgrounds. This time, I was honored
ing all over the streets, but the dragon boat races and ethnic to perform my Chinese-Thai bilingual cover of ‘Fly To-
parades here have a more pronounced ceremonial feel.” gether’ in Xishuangbanna, and it felt like bringing our two
Phorng Sreyphoung, a Cambodian student at Kunming cultures even closer.” She noted that this year marks the
Medical University, was particularly struck by Xishuang- 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and
banna’s vibrant Dai costumes and its pervasive Southeast Thailand, and she hopes to continue fostering friendship be-
Asian influences. She remarked, “The elephant motifs, tween the two nations through music, singing of a beautiful
architectural styles, and spicy and sour Dai flavors in Xish- shared future.
uangbanna made me feel as if I had returned home.” Simi-