The grand “Village Songs and Dances” celebration, jointly organized by the Shui Ethnic Group Association of Libo County, China; the French National Alliance of Folklore; and the Sino-French Cultural and Art Exchange Center, took place on the evening of November 11 in Libo County, Qiannan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province. Centered on the theme of “Cultural Integration, Shared Friendship,” the event vividly showcased the profound interaction between China and France at the grassroots cultural level.

The folk dance troupe “des Troubadours” from France's eastern Vosges region shared the stage with Shui and Buyi ethnic groups from Libo County. Through a series of distinctive ethnic performances—including the Shui Lusheng welcoming dance, rural music and dance from the Vosges, and displays of Shui script and Buyi square script—they initiated a civilizational dialogue spanning mountains and seas. Performances including the Shui a cappella choir, Buyi Nuo opera, and a French accordion-saxophone duet took turns on stage. These not only showcased the unique charm of rural cultures from both nations but also sparked vibrant cultural innovation through mutual exchange and learning.

During the interactive segment, the ancient Shui script “Shui Shu” became the focal point. French friends learned to write Shui Shu on the spot and were gifted Shui Shu calligraphy works.

Meng Yanzhao, president of Lipu County's Shui Ethnic Group Association, remarked: “These ‘village songs and dances’ carrying the fragrance of the earth are the most vibrant ‘living cultural genes’ of Chinese civilization. We use song as a medium and dance as a companion to illuminate each other's folk cultures.”

Editor Ⅰ: Zhang Congxiao

Editor Ⅱ: Bao Gang

Editor Ⅲ: Liu Guosong