Chinese folk songs are making a growing number of new fans among foreigners at the ongoing 2003 Nanning International Folk Song Festival in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

An Austrian named Erich Lindner couldn't help dancing with the rhythm of a lovely song by a Zhuang ethnic group at the festival. "I never thought Chinese folk songs could be so modern, charming and wonderful," he said.

The folk song that Lindner was enjoying was an old song, but was performed by a rock band and over 600 girls in graceful Zhuang costumes at this festival.

"I heard pleasant and wonderful melodies in Guangxi, home to many Chinese folk songs," said US student Peter Semone, who was buying folk CDs on the streets.

Guangxi, which has a population of more than 46 million, is home to 28 ethnic groups, which are well-known for their affection for singing and dancing.

"Chinese folk songs are part of the world's folk heritage, and deserve to be known and enjoyed by more and more music lovers around the world," said Semone.

This year, Chinese popular folk song singers have been invited to perform at deluxe international venues, including the Opera des Champs Elysees in Paris, the Kennedy Center Concert Hall in Washington and the Vienna Golden Concert Hall.

The vivid and highly-distinctive folk songs needed to be protected and popularized, and had the potential for international acclamation, said Su Xianming, manager of a music company in Indonesia.

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