Under the theme of "Inheriting Folk Culture and Promoting the Taihang Spirit," a folk music concert was held in Zuoquan, Shanxi Province on July 30.

Folk singers perform Zuoquan folk songs. [Photo by Gao Zhan /China.org.cn]

Zuoquan folk music, originating in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), was placed on the list of national intangible cultural heritage by the State Council in 2016.

Tucked away in Taihang Mountain, Zuoquan County became accessible when highway tunnels were driven through the rock. It was originally called Liao County. After a general named Zuoquan was killed in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, it was renamed in his honor.

During rough periods in the war, Zuoquan County was used as revolutionary base area for the Chinese Communist Party. CPC members with an arts background cooperated with local artists, explored local folkart and composed numerous folk songs，including "Join the Army," "Carry the Revolution Through to the End," "Chinese Communist Military Leader Peng Dehuai Works with Us."

In 2008, Zuoquan County was named as "the home of Chinese folk art" by the Ministry of Culture. Since then, Zuoquan folk music has been taken to the world stage, such as the Shanghai Expo and Turkey.

To promote the protection of intangible cultural heritage and display Zuoquan folk music, the county set up a music base in Hongdu Village. The base, aimed at inheriting the ancient folk music, will become a new brand for Zuoquan tourism.

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