Hearts across continents, from Gansu to Oklahoma

Whether it is performing the Oklahoma state song with Chinese instruments or crossing the Gobi Desert to the rhythm of country music, unexpected cultural blends reflect longtime bonds between the US state and Gansu province in China.

Oklahoma marked the 40th anniversary of the establishment of its sistership with Gansu at the Silk Road Connection celebration at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond on Monday. The event feted the cultural, educational and economic exchange between the heartlands of both countries.

"Here we are, celebrating 40 years once again," said George Nigh, former governor of Oklahoma and former president of the university, at the concert.

Nigh, 97, recalled visiting Gansu with his wife, Donna, saying the province was so large that their aircraft had to stop near the Gobi Desert to refuel.

A 1,600-kilometer stretch of the ancient Silk Road passed through Gansu from east to west, linking the region to Central Asia and Europe through trade and cultural exchange. The interactions have continued into the 21st century, extending to North America through the efforts of both the US and Chinese people.

Nigh traveled to Lanzhou, the provincial capital, in 1985 and signed the sister-state agreement. The friendship has flourished over 40 years and continues to connect across generations.

"I love the relationship between Oklahoma and Gansu," Nigh told China Daily.

Years ago there were fewer international students at the University of Central Oklahoma, Nigh said, but over time, thanks to connections with delegations from Gansu, more student groups have visited the state, and there have been more and more cultural exchanges.

Kyle Dillingham, an Oklahoma fiddler, and his band Horseshoe Road have served as musical ambassadors between China and the US. He has traveled to China nearly 20 times, performing bluegrass and US country music for Chinese audiences.

During the 40th anniversary commemoration performance Dillingham not only played traditional US folk music but also collaborated with Chinese erhu musicians on a well-known erhu piece, Horse Racing, with his violin.

The Gansu delegation also contributed to the celebration with Chinese dance and music performances, featuring ethnic group traditions and a rendition of the Oklahoma state song.

"It was a fantastic moment," Dillingham told China Daily. "The Gansu musicians really did our state song justice. I know that is one performance people will never forget."

Dillingham said he plans to return to Gansu and hopes to bring more young people with him in September to promote people-to-people exchanges. He wants them to experience what he enjoyed, he said, namely traditional Chinese music, horseback riding in the Gobi Desert, watching the sunset and tasting goji berries.

The connections between the university, Gansu and Asia also continue through academia.

Sydney Morrow, a professor in the philosophy and humanities department of the university, said she will teach a humanities course titled "The Silk Road" in the autumn semester.

"It's exciting that I have this opportunity to do Chinese humanities and Central Asian humanities. I think that it's incredibly important that people learn about it. … We want this sisterhood, we want to be closer, we want more exchanges to happen. I think people in Oklahoma are hungry for that kind of knowledge and companionship."