To further promote education on fostering a strong sense of community among the Chinese nation and create a platform for cultural exchanges and integration among different ethnic groups, an art, innovation, and aesthetic education practice event that blends traditional heritage with trendy vitality — the "Stars Shining in the Southland" Ethnic National Trend Music Festival, was warmly launched at the track and field ground of Nanning University. This event was jointly organized by the Aesthetic Education Work Committee of Nanning University, Guangxi Yiyang Culture Media Co., Ltd., and the "Not Alone" Aesthetic Education and Soul-Nurturing Studio. It aims to bridge the gap between traditional culture and the younger generation through innovative approaches, enabling ethnic culture to flourish in the new era.
The event was carefully designed with two core sections, offering participants an immersive cultural journey from "cognition" to "experience". The Intangible Cultural Heritage Market section gathered intangible cultural heritage projects with distinct regional characteristics from various regions in Guangxi. Over a dozen themed booths were set up on-site to showcase traditional crafts such as the making of Zhuang embroidered balls, paper-cutting art, and Zhuang brocade weaving. Through hands-on interactions, attendees could closely experience the warmth and charm of traditional craftsmanship and gain a deeper understanding of intangible cultural heritage.
The Ethnic National Trend Music Festival was the highlight of the entire event, featuring three progressive chapters that used music and stage art to interpret the lineage of intangible cultural heritage. The first chapter, "Intangible Cultural Heritage: Origin," presented a large-scale integrated song and dance drama. The clear melodies of original folk songs, the melodious strains of Zhuang Tianqin (a stringed musical instrument) performances, and the lively movements of original ethnic dances were complemented by a fashion show featuring actors in Zhuang brocade costumes adorned with "swastika patterns" and "water ripple patterns" that glimmered under the lights. This immersive experience transported the audience back to the birthplace of ethnic culture, allowing them to deeply feel the richness of traditional culture.
The second chapter, "Intangible Cultural Heritage: Inheritance," focused on the power of youth. The Southland Youth Group delivered a tailor-made national trend performance: the cheerful rhythms of singing and dancing tracks incorporated Zhuang ethnic elements, while the rap lyrics told contemporary stories of intangible cultural heritage inheritance. The energetic performances of the young actors showcased teenagers' innovative understanding of ethnic culture, sparking a unique fusion between tradition and youth.
The third chapter, "Intangible Cultural Heritage: Ignition," invited renowned local Guangxi singers and music groups such as the Infinite Vitality Group to perform. They combined the high-pitched tunes of Zhuang folk songs with the powerful rhythms of modern electronic music. After trendy arrangements, the traditional lyrics retained their ethnic flavor while being infused with a sense of modernity. The familiar melodies instantly lit up the atmosphere, with the audience waving their arms in rhythm, creating a fervent and interactive ambiance.
This music festival, using music as a bridge, brought intangible cultural heritage out of museums and into the campus. It not only enriched the spiritual and cultural lives of teachers and students but also helped the younger generation develop a sense of identity and pride in ethnic culture. It injected diverse vitality into campus cultural construction, offering teachers, students, alumni, and cultural enthusiasts a cultural feast that combined intellectual depth with audio-visual impact.
