Stringing unique tune: Konghou concert held in Tarim Basin desert

“Across Loula” media tour made its third stop in Qiemo county in south eastern margin of Tarim Basin on August 14. A special concert was held for the first time ever in the desert: Konghou concert. According to public information, no such concert using this instrument and on this site has been held before. Cyberspace Administration Office of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Party publicity department of Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture hosted this event together.

Konghou, an ancient plucked stringed instrument called “cank” in Persian and “cagry” in Sogdian language that has more than 2000 years of history, is said to have been brought into ancient China in around Han Dynasty. Residents living in Qiemo county have long been connected with konghou. Even before the Silk Road took shape, konghou was already an important part of their daily life.

Promoting this ancient instrument to the world means a lot both for strengthening local economy’s core competitiveness in tourism industry and protecting this important musical instrument.

It’s also an active and innovative response from local authority to the nation’s One Belt One Road strategy and to revitalization of the cultural industry strategy.

In 2015, Lu Lu, vice-president of Konghou institute under the Chinese Musicians Association, guided a group of professionals to Qiemo and build long-term cooperation with local authority, a nonprofit teaching base of konghou where public can participate was built under this background. Many children have benefited by training there.

Xuxiaohua, director of Party Publicity Department of Qiemo county, said as more people get familiar with konghou and admire its beauty, they hope Konghou could be a symbol of Qiemo county. “By precisely positioning the key industry we can further realize the potential of the county’s economy,” Xu said.

Participants rest after taking part in the concert. [Photo by Wu Zheyu/chinadaily.com.cn]?

A view of konghou concert held in desert on August 14. [Photo by Wu Zheyu/chinadaily.com.cn]?

Lu Lu, vice-president of Konghou institute under the Chinese Musicians Association, played konghou in the desert in Qiemo county. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]?