Imagine standing beneath the iconic steel beams of Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium, but instead of roaring crowds, you’re surrounded by the soulful hum of 2,500-year-old guzheng strings. That’s exactly what happened at this year’s Bird’s Nest Art Festival, where tradition collided with contemporary flair in a showstopping performance by 24-year-old guzheng prodigy Zhao Jiayi.
🔊 Zhao’s rendition of ‘The Legend of the White Snake’ wasn’t just music – it was a time-traveling adventure. As her fingers danced across 21 silk strings, LED projections transformed the stage into misty West Lake landscapes, blending China’s musical heritage with holographic storytelling. Talk about #CoreMemory material!
🌏 ‘Young people think guzheng is “grandma music”,’ Zhao laughed backstage. ‘But when we mix it with digital art and pop culture references? Suddenly it’s as fresh as a TikTok trend.’ Her performance drew cheers from both Hanfu-clad traditionalists and neon-sneakered Gen Z attendees.
📸 Festivalgoers raved about the ‘4D experience’ – where every plucked note seemed to ripple through floating projection-mapped lotuses. For the Asian diaspora crowd, it hit especially deep: ‘This is how we keep our roots alive while staying plugged into the future,’ said Malaysian attendee Li Wen, 28.
Want to catch the vibe? Fan-made clips are blowing up on Douyin (China’s TikTok) with #GuzhengGlowUp. Who knew ancient instruments could be this lit? 🔥
