Percy, a foreign anchor at the Wenzhou Overseas Media Center, recently embarked on a journey to discover a distinctive and captivating musical art form called Wenzhou Guci.
Percy, who has lived in Wenzhou, a city in Zhejiang province, for more than 10 years, was no stranger to the enchanting melodies of Wenzhou Guci echoing through the city's thoroughfares. When he was told that the Wenzhou Experimental Primary School has a club dedicated to learning Wenzhou Guci, Percy went there to learn it with Zhou Xiaoqiu and the children.
Subsequently, Percy paid a visit to the Huagai Guci Theatre located in downtown Wenzhou. There, he had the privilege of meeting Chen Zhongda, a renowned Wenzhou Guci master. Chen, the recipient of the China Quyi Peony Awards and an inheritor, shared his expertise with Percy. Together, they performed a segment of a classic drum narrative.
Originating in Wenzhou, Guci boasts a rich history spanning about 300 years. This unique musical art form is typically performed by a solo artist who takes on multiple roles within a performance. The artist needs not only to sing but also to play three accompanying instruments, namely clapper board, a zither, and a moon-shaped drum.
The lyrical content of Wenzhou Guci often draws inspiration from folk tales and historical stories, adding a layer of cultural richness to the art form. Notably, the lyrics are sung in the Rui'an dialect, emphasizing its strong local roots.
In 2006, Wenzhou Guci was approved by the State Council to be included on the first national intangible cultural heritage list.
