The recently concluded 2nd National Traditional Chinese Musical Instruments Exhibition and “Erquan Yingyue – Wuxi Traditional Music Festival” at the Wuxi Grand Theater showcased Wuxi’s burgeoning reputation as a “City of Music.”

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Erquan Yingyue (The Moon Reflected on the Er-quan Spring), a renowned Erhu composition by Abing, a blind folk musician from Wuxi, has served as a significant cultural bridge between China and the rest of the world. Its global recognition includes its journey into space aboard Voyager 1 and its inscription in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. Its performances by prestigious orchestras like the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra highlight Wuxi’s rich musical heritage.

Wuxi boasts a vibrant musical ecosystem. The Wuxi City of Music Promotion Center reports over 500 community music groups and more than 80 school music clubs. The city also features approximately 50 cultural and tourism sites dedicated to music, encompassing former residences of musicians, museums, and preserved musical artifacts.

Wuxi’s thriving music industry is a key contributor to its musical identity. The city is a leading producer of high-quality musical instruments, manufacturing roughly a quarter of China’s mid-to-high-end erhus annually; it’s estimated that nearly every erhu player in China owns a Wuxi-made instrument. Furthermore, Wuxi’s production of Western instruments, including harmonicas, accordions, and harps, enjoys significant international demand. Wuxi is the world’s largest harmonica producer, a leading accordion manufacturer exporting to over 10 countries, and since 2022, it has become a major hub for harp production, with brands like Lyon & Healy and Salvi establishing manufacturing facilities there, now controlling 70% of the global market.

Wuxi is actively fostering international collaborations. An international musician-in-residence program, launched in May, invites prominent musicians to participate in cultural and musical exchanges, stimulating the global flow and development of music.

Leveraging its strong musical legacy, Wuxi’s global presence as a “City of Music” continues to grow, extending its musical influence worldwide.

Source: Wuxi City of Music Promotion Center

CONTACT: Contact for media only: Contact person: Mr. Feng, Tel: 86-10-63074558

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