Children from ethnic villages in the tropical rainforest of Hainan province have formed an unlikely friendship with their peers from cosmopolitan Paris — their liaison forged by the unifying power of song.
During French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to China in April 2023, the French children's song Si j'allais en Chine (If I had the opportunity to go to China) went viral online.
In 2024, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, the Parisian children's choir Le Choeur des Polysons, performed the song and shared Lunar New Year greetings with China via a television broadcast.
Moved by the show of warmth, Liu Min, composer, conductor, and artistic director of the Li and Miao Ethnic Children's Chorus from Wuzhishan city, Hainan, composed a song called Sing Wuzhishan to France.
Established in August 2022, the Wuzhishan chorus consists mostly of students from the Li and Miao ethnic groups. Growing up surrounded by green mountains and clear waters, the children had no idea that their love of singing would one day take them to the other side of the world.
On May 6, the Wuzhishan chorus traveled to France to take part in 60th anniversary celebrations with the Parisian children's choir. During the event, 18 Li and Miao children donned traditional ethnic attire and sang Sing Wuzhishan to France in both French and Chinese.
Singing the song in French was no easy task for a group of Chinese children with zero knowledge of the language.
"French grammar is quite challenging. The children had to transcribe all the lyrics into Chinese characters and pinyin, mark the tones, and then practice reciting the lyrics fluently," Liu explained. "By understanding the meaning of each line and stringing the lyrics together, they were able to both comprehend and sing it."
The song's lyrics declare Wuzhishan's tropical rainforest and the snow-capped mountains of France are both beneath the same bright sun. The lyrics also refer to the allure of Wuzhishan's black tea and Bordeaux's fine wines, with each area appreciating the other's unique beauty.
Liu said through the song's performance, the children of Wuzhishan expressed their wish for friendly interaction between the people of both nations.
At the Paris event, children from Wuzhishan also performed Li and Miao ethnic music.
Li Ye, interpreter for Le Choeur des Polysons and director of the Association Vent d'Orient Vent d'Occident which has co-organized the concert in Paris, said the occasion marked French people's first exposure to Hainan's ethnic minority music and art, with songs sung in the Li and Miao dialects.
Warm welcome
The joint performance on stage and the exchange of gifts offstage fostered profound friendships between the two groups of children. The young French choristers pledged to one day visit Hainan and immerse themselves in the distinctive culture of the province's ethnic groups.
Five months later, the Parisian children's choir fulfilled this promise.
Three performances were held from Oct 24 to 27 as the first part of the Sino-French Children's Chorus Friendship Bridge event. One was at the Hainan Center for the Performing Arts in Haikou, another in the Hainan University Lecture Hall in Haikou, and the third at the Baoshan Bamboo House in Maona village, Wuzhishan.
During the performances, many classic songs were featured.
"The highlight of the show was when the French children's choir sang The Moon Represents My Heart in Chinese, which elevated the atmosphere to a climax," said an audience member from Haikou surnamed Wang, who attended the first show.
"My family and I couldn't help but join in singing along from the audience."
Elisabeth Trigo, founder, conductor and artistic director of Le Choeur des Polysons, said after the first meeting in Paris in May, she began eagerly looking forward to visiting Hainan.
"I never expected that this dream would come true so quickly. Music has built a bridge of friendship between China and France. The exchange experience is truly unforgettable," Trigo said.
She said the third performance held at the Baoshan Bamboo House was a highlight, and described the unconventional outdoor atmosphere and the joyous bonfire party that followed the show as truly remarkable.
Wider horizons
In addition to the music performances, the French children also participated in educational and cultural activities, including exploring the Wuzhishan section of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park and immersing themselves in local heritage.
The visitors had the opportunity to learn and experience Li musical instruments, Li and Miao songs, Li brocade weaving, Miao silver jewelry-making techniques, and bamboo dances.
Traditional instruments in Hainan are often crafted from bamboo, wood, and other natural materials, including animal skins, that are available on the tropical island. These elements contribute to the simple, naturalistic music style.
The Li people, lacking a written language, preserved their history and cultural traditions through their traditional music.
The Li ethnic group also has a rich tradition of creating brocade, with a history spanning over 3,000 years. This intricate craft, involving spinning, dyeing, weaving, and embroidery, was inscribed on the World Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2009.
Before departing Wuzhishan, the French children also tried Li pottery. Under the guidance of local instructors, each child unleashed their creativity, by shaping clay into diverse forms inspired by their surroundings.
"Some sculpted roses, others crafted star shapes, and one child molded the clay into the likeness of Wuzhi Mountain itself, expressing a deep fondness for the locale," said Li Ye, the interpreter.
Anouk du Chaffaut, a member of the Parisian choir, sculpted a Li pottery piece to gift to her close friend Wang Mingru, a member of the Wuzhishan chorus. The item not only has Wang's name etched into it, but also features traditional patterns from Li culture. Chaffaut said she hopes that when Wang looks at the piece of pottery, she will think of her French friend.
Valentin Remond Lebec, a member of the French choir, said: "Hainan is even more beautiful than I imagined, and it is different from other parts of China I have visited before. There is more vegetation here, with lush greenery as far as the eye can see. I find it incredibly beautiful, and I really like it."
Trigo, the founder of the Parisian choir, said the visit to Wuzhishan, with its breathtaking natural landscapes and rich ethnic heritage, had introduced her to a different side of China.
"We brought 25 children this time, and there were 25 children who couldn't come," she said. "We will share our experiences with those who couldn't make it and take back souvenirs, including Li brocade ribbons, skirts and picture frames, local tea from Wuzhishan, and Li pottery vases."
Le Choeur des Polysons has around 50 members ranging in age from seven to 15 years old. It was established in 1994 and has performed in many countries including the United Kingdom, Italy, and Switzerland.
Trigo said that all the children in the choir will wear the Li brocade ribbons during the choir's 30th-anniversary celebration in Paris in December.
New experiences
For choir member Camille Lepretre the simple pleasure of drinking a coconut for the first time was a highlight of the trip. "I am thrilled to observe the process of opening and savoring coconuts in Hainan. And I also bought Li ethnic earrings, skirts, and clothing that I truly adore," she said.
For another choir member, Clementine Mathieu Veniard, the most unforgettable experience was singing with the Chinese children. She said they were very friendly. The children from both countries sang together, interacted well, visited many places, and participated in multiple activities.
Wang Ruhuan, a member of the Wuzhishan chorus, was fond of the gift exchanges and deepening friendships. She said that during their first and second meetings, the children exchanged gifts including a red handkerchief and a miniature model of the Eiffel Tower. On their second meeting in Hainan, they exchanged dolls.
"Through these interactions, I have formed stronger bonds with my French choir friends and made six new acquaintances. During their visit to Maona village, two French friends bought me a Miao hair pin, which I will treasure and keep in a very special place," she said.
Wang said she shed tears when they had to part, but she eagerly looks forward to reuniting with her French pals. She vowed to give them the "best gifts" when they reunite.
Liu, the conductor of the ethnic chorus, described the children's shared rehearsals as heartwarming, as they learned new vocal techniques and performance styles from each other.
After meeting in Paris in May, they formed friendships and further deepened their bond through rehearsals, performances, and interactions, he said. "As the children bid farewell, they found it hard to part ways," Liu said.
In tune together
Despite the language barrier, music serves as a means of emotional and spiritual connection, allowing them to communicate through simple English, French, and Chinese as well as gestures, eye contact, and even sentiments, Liu added.
Trigo said it had been wonderful sharing musical experiences with the children from Hainan, and receiving numerous gifts and warm greetings from a diverse range of people they had met on the trip.
"These memories will be deeply engraved in our hearts. Just like the French version of Auld Lang Syne goes, 'This is just a farewell, until we meet again'," she said.
On the last day of the trip, the French children visited the Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park and Botanical Garden in Haikou. Trigo expressed hope they could come together again for an animal-themed concert, which would be a new avenue for the young choristers.
Many of the young French visitors said that only by visiting China can its beauty and marvels be understood.
"The song Si j'allais en Chine marks just the beginning of a dream to visit China. There are still many wonders in China waiting for me to explore and discover," said Lebec from the French choir.
Liu said at the end of each show, children from both countries sang Auld Lang Syne together, symbolizing the enduring friendship between the two groups and exemplifying the wishes for stronger bilateral relations.
chenbowen@chinadaily.com.cn
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