The Grand Canal is the lifeblood of Chinese culture, ranging thousands of miles from north to south and driving the prosperity of cities along it. On the evening of September 27, the opening ceremony of 2013 Grand Canal Cultural Festival was held at canal cultural square in Hangzhou. Wenqin Choir participated in the event in support of Grand Canal’s application for the list of world heritage.

Cooperating with renowned conductor Lin Daye and Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra, Wenqin Choir performed the singing part of “Grand Canal” Suite, introducing the history and future of the Grand Canal with vivid music and humanistic spirit.

The main content of the event “Grand Canal” Suite was composed by Zhou Tian, a Hangzhou-born Chinese American composer. It includes 7 movements, namely, Grand Canal, Dream Source, The Soul of River, Life, Aqua, Mother, Tomorrow, to demonstrate the Grand Canal – the world’s most splendid historical and cultural heritage memories from different perspectives and levels. This is the first work written by Zhou for his hometown with inspiration coming from the Grand Canal and internationalized voice.

2013 Grand Canal Cultural Festival started from September. In addition to the symphony concert at the opening ceremony, there will be folk wedding, Chinese painting and calligraphy exhibition, dragon boat race and other activities.