Music helps Hebei village tune into prosperity

SHIJIAZHUANG — On a quiet and sunny afternoon, beautiful music drifts from a cafe in the rural area of North China’s Hebei province. It is Ukrainian violinist Igor Kyrychenko who is playing with two compatriots. The 59-year-old musician has lived in the village of Zhouwo in Wuqiang county for three years, giving violin lessons at a local art school.

“I can tell that people here are passionate about music. People always come to listen to us while we are playing,” he says.

Wuqiang used to be an impoverished county. In Zhouwo, with a population of about 900 people, villagers mainly toiled in the fields or left to work in cities for a living. In 2012, relying on the advantages of the local musical instrument assembly industry, Wuqiang county turned Zhouwo into a music town, integrating the functions of accommodation, tourism, shopping and entertainment.

“I have been in big cities like Beijing, but I fell in love with Zhouwo the first time I came here because of the cozy environment, musical atmosphere and the hospitable villagers,” says Kyrychenko.

Despite language barriers, Kyrychenko and his students can communicate through eye contact, gestures and — more importantly — music.

“I’m glad to see so many talented children here. Training them makes me proud,” he says.

The number of students in his class has increased from four in 2018 to over 20 now.

During the COVID-19 epidemic last year, Kyrychenko stayed at home like most Chinese people in Wuqiang. He was impressed by the effective measures adopted by the Chinese government to curb the spread of the virus.

“Action was taken in an orderly manner. The nucleic acid testing was very efficient. It was very impressive,” he says.

Now that infections have waned, both production and life have returned to normal in Wuqiang.

Guo Yuguan, a saxophone player, and her fellow villagers, have resumed regular practice sessions. She says since they no longer have to worry about their income, more people are playing instruments in their leisure time in pursuit of a better spiritual life.

“Playing the saxophone can enhance our cardiopulmonary function,” says Guo, 61.

Music has also brought economic benefits. Guo sells souvenirs to tourists in the town, and her daughterin-law works in a musical instrument factory.

“I have just spent more than 1,000 yuan ($155) on new clothes for my husband without hesitation,” she says with a smile.

Thanks to the musical instrument industry and tourism, the per capita annual income of Zhouwo has risen to about 25,000 yuan.

In 2018, when Kyrychenko settled in Wuqiang, the county was removed from the poverty list.

By the end of 2020, the last 98.99 million impoverished rural residents living under the current poverty line in China were all lifted out of poverty. Over the next five years, the country will continue to prioritize rural vitalization.

Kyrychenko is glad to have witnessed the great changes and development in Wuqiang over the past three years. “Music has become part of the life of people in Zhouwo. Here, music is just as important as bread.”

I have been in big cities like Beijing, but I fell in love with Zhouwo (village) the first time I came here because of the cozy environment, musical atmosphere and the hospitable villagers.”

Igor Kyrychenko, Ukrainian violinist