Renowned guqin player and artisan Wang Peng will share the ancient Chinese instrument’s rich history at a cultural event in Romania on June 26 and 27. The seven-stringed guqin, which boasts nearly 3,000 years of history, is more than just a musical tool—it is deeply woven into China’s cultural identity.
The guqin was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008. According to UNESCO, the instrument is “inseparable from China’s intellectual history” and represents the country’s solo musical tradition.
Wang, 59, says the upcoming event in Romania resonates with a Chinese folktale about the guqin known as zhi yin. The story tells of a friendship between a musician, Yu Boya, and a woodcutter, Zhong Ziqi, who connects deeply with Boya’s music. When Zhong dies, Boya smashes his guqin, grieving the loss of someone who could truly understand his music.
“This story reflects the deep connection between performer and listener, united by the guqin,” Wang explains. “It’s not just an instrument; it conveys the deepest emotions of Chinese culture.”
Wang is eager to share the subtle beauty of the guqin with the Romanian audience. On June 27, he will also participate in an event at the Chinese Cultural Center in Bucharest.
A passionate advocate for the guqin, Wang has dedicated decades to preserving and promoting the instrument globally. A graduate of the Shenyang Conservatory of Music, Wang fell in love with the guqin and its connection to China’s literati culture. Over the years, he has restored over 100 ancient guqin instruments, some dating back to the Tang and Song dynasties. He also crafted the guqin used in the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony.
In 2001, Wang founded Jun Tian Fang, a guqin ensemble and cultural center aimed at preserving and studying the instrument. The center has become a platform for education and cultural exchange. Wang’s vision is to craft the finest guqin while sharing its rich philosophical and cultural significance with the world.
“Over time, I’ve come to realize that the guqin is more than a craft or a musical technique,” says Wang. “It embodies philosophy, aesthetics, and deep meaning. That’s why Jun Tian Fang is not just a workshop—it’s a center for education and cultural exchange.”
Wang will be accompanied by Liu Xiaogang, a xiao (traditional wind instrument) player and national inheritor of the instrument, during the Romanian events. Liu will join Wang in sharing the cultural depth of Chinese music.
Wang’s visit to Romania is not just about music—it’s about inviting people from around the world to slow down, listen, and reflect in a world that often prioritizes speed and spectacle. As Wang puts it, the guqin is “not just a Chinese treasure; it’s a universal invitation to find quiet and depth.”
Related topics:
- Suspect Arrested in Heart’s Stolen Instrument Case After Theft at Atlantic City Casino
- Guitar Industry Poised for Major Growth, Projected to Expand to USD 26.2 Billion by 2035
- RM47 Drops Debut Drum & Bass Track “UNDERWATER” with Smooth Electro Vibes
