Musical farewell to demolished homes

Updated: 2012-02-01 17:24

(chinadaily.com.cn)

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 Musical farewell to demolished homes

Photo by Han Yuting/ China Weekly

 

There was no famous musician, no conductor, bright concert hall or even a seat, but the sound created from the rubble of a former ancient site will echo on forever.

Dozens of people attended the 'Concert on Ruins' held on the West Yuehu area in Ningbo in Zhejiang province to remember the ancient area that disappeared at the end of 2011.

The district listed as a city renewal area has been gradually demolished since 2008. So the residents who once lived there wanted to commemorate the event with a concert, directed and performed by those who used to call the area home.

With 1,300 years history, the West Yuehu area is located in the heart of Ningbo city, boasting high cultural value. Since around 2,000, like other Chinese cities, Ningbo started inner city redevelopment and its historical and cultural blocks were gradually moved out.

Yuan Yong and Cheng Jianjie, the concert's initiator and organizer, wanted to hold the concert for remembrance, so named the night 'Concert on Ruins'.

Lu Guanhe, 24, a college student who grew in the area, is the concert's leading role. He played tens of songs on the trumpet for his audience, also his neighbors.

"It is more like a funeral and an elegy rather than a concert," a photographer who pictured the concert said.

 Musical farewell to demolished homes
Photo by Han Yuting/ China Weekly