Yunnan Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries 2023-05-12 21:55 Published onYunnan

On November 5, 1981, Kunming and Fujisawa, Japan established the first pair of international friendship cities in Yunnan.Today, we follow Nie Er's violin across the ocean and review the journey of friendship between Kunming and Fujisawa.

Kunming city, the capital of Yunnan province, began its first friendship city relation with Fujisawa city of Japan, on Nov. 5, 1981. Over seas, the friendship between Kunming and Fujisawa is like a melody. Today, let’s enjoy the melody with the musician and composer Nie Er’s violin.

Fujisawa City, Japan——

Brief on Fujisawa city in Japan

Fujisawa City is located in the central part of the Japanese archipelago and the southern part of Kanagawa Prefecture. It is 51 kilometers away from the Japanese capital Tokyo along the Tokaido Railway Line. It is on the edge of the Shonan coast and looks at Mount Fuji in the distance.Famous as the suburban residential area of ​​Yokohama and Tokyo, it is a comprehensive city integrating residence, industry, agriculture, commerce, tourism, culture and education.

Located in the south of Kanagawa county of Japan, Fujisawa city lies in the central region of the Japanese archipelago. It is situated along the Tokaido railway line, approximately 51 kilometers from the capital city of Tokyo.

The city is known for its proximity to the Shonan beach and its picturesque view of Mount Fuji. Renowned as a suburban residential area of Yokohama and Tokyo, Fujisawa is a comprehensive city that encompasses residential, industrial, agricultural, commercial, tourism, and educational sectors.

Kunming, Yunnan Province--

Brief on Kunming city in Yunnan

Kunming is located in the southwestern part of China, in the middle of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The climate is like spring all year round. It is also known as "Spring City". It is the capital of Yunnan Province and one of the important central cities in western China.Kunming is located at the intersection of the "three circles" of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Zone, the Greater Mekong Sub-region, and the Pan-Pearl River Delta Economic Circle.

Situated in southwest China, Kunming city stands in the central part of the Yunnan-Guizhou plateau. Known as the Spring City, it enjoys a mild climate throughout the year. The city serves as the capital city of Yunnan Province and it is an central city in west China.

Kunming is strategically located at the tri-junction of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, the Greater Mekong Subregion, and the Pan-Pearl River Delta Economic Zone. It is a gateway for China's opening to South and Southeast Asia and a frontier hub for the Belt and Road cooperation.

Nie Er, the composer of the national anthem of the People's Republic of China, has a violin that he loves all his life, which is now on display in the Yunnan Provincial Museum.

Nie Er, composer of the national anthem of the People's Republic of China, had a beloved violin that is now displayed in the Yunnan Provincial Museum.

Nie Er's violin is displayed in the museum.

The paint on the body of the piano has been peeled off and mottled, but the strings are still as bright as before, just like the tune of "March of the Volunteers".This slightly obsolete violin is constantly stirring the heartstrings of the friendship between Kunming and Fujisawa, Japan.In Fujisawa City, Japan, which is more than 3,800 kilometers away from Kunming, the Nie Er Monument stands on the coast of Humao Coast, witnessing the friendship between the two peoples.

While the lacquer on the body of the violin has become mottled, the strings still shine brightly, much like the melodies of the "March of the Volunteers" -- the national anthem of China. This worn violin played a role in forging the friendly ties between Kunming and Fujisawa. Located over 3,800 kilometers away from Kunming, Fujisawa is where the Nie Er Memorial Monument stands on the shores of Kugenuma Sea, witnessing the friendly relations between the two countries.

On November 5, 1981, Kunming, the city where Nie Er was born, and Fujisawa, the city where Nie Er passed away, formally established a sister city relationship.Fujisawa became the first international friendship city of Kunming and Yunnan Province."Knowing each other is not far or near, thousands of miles are still neighbors."The resonance of music and the appreciation of genius transcends national boundaries.Up to now, Nie Er's violin still entrusts the longing and true feelings of the two cities.

On Nov. 5, 1981, Kunming, the birthplace of Nie Er, and Fujisawa officially established the sister-city relations. Fujisawa became the first international friendship city of both Kunming and Yunnan province.

Bosom friends feel close even when they are thousands of miles apart. The resonance of music and the appreciation of talent have gone beyond the borders. Till today, Nie Er's violin carries the yearning and genuine emotions between the two cities.

Nie Er was born in Kunming, Yunnan Province in 1912.He spent the most precious 18 years of his life here.In early 1931, he spent his hard-earned honorarium on a second-hand violin.Since then, this violin has always been by his side, becoming a close companion in his musical career and a sacred instrument that shaped him as a musician of the people.

In 1912, Nie Er was born in Kunming. Here, he spent his most precious 18 years. In early 1931, he bought a second-hand violin with hard-earned money. Since then, this violin has always been by his side. As the most intimate companion throughout his musical career, this sacred instrument has helped to turn Nie Er into a musician for the people.

In early 1935, Nie Er came to Japan to study and composed "March of the Volunteers".Nie Er used this violin to perform this piece for the first time at the art dinner party of Chinese students studying in Japan.Regrettably, this performance has become the swan song of all ages.Later, Nie Er died at the age of 23 while swimming on the coast of Fujisawa Kumara.

In early 1935, Nie Er went to Japan to study and composed the "March of the Volunteers." At an artistic gathering of Chinese students in Japan, Nie Er performed this piece for the first time with his violin. Unfortunately, that performance became his eternal masterpiece. Later, while swimming in the Kugenuma sea in Fujisawa, young Nie Er tragically drowned at the age of 23.

As time goes by, Kunming and Fujisawa continue the friendship between cities in different ways.Since Kunming and Fujisawa established sister cities for more than 40 years, the two places have had close exchanges.The two sides exchanged delegations for friendly visits, jointly commemorated Nie Er, held the "Kunming·Fujisawa Cultural Exchange Exhibition", etc., and conducted in-depth friendly exchanges in the fields of culture, industry and commerce, and medical care.

As time goes by, in-depth exchanges were conducted in culture, economy and health care for over four decades.The two sides have sent delegations for friendly visits, commemorated Nie Er together, and jointly held the Kunming-Fujisawa Cultural Exchange Exhibition.

On Huancheng East Road, Kunming City, there is a majestic, majestic and majestic building with Chinese and Japanese national styles. This is the Kunming Fujisawa Friendship Museum.

On East Ring Road in Kunming, there stands a grand and solemn building that combines the architectural styles of China and Japan. This is the Kunming-Fujisawa Friendship Hall.

The Kunming-Fujisawa Friendship Hall

It was built in 1986, funded and donated by Fujisawa.Various folk cultural exchange activities are held here every year, such as Japanese dubbing contest, tea ceremony and ikebana experience, Japanese speech contest, etc.

Established in 1986 with fund from Fujisawa, this place hosts various cultural exchange activities each year, such as Japanese dubbing contests, tea ceremonies, flower arrangements, and Japanese speech competitions.

Hiroto Goto, a Japanese teacher of Yunnan University for Nationalities who won the Yunnan Friendship Award in 2023 and has been rooted in Yunnan for more than 20 years, cherishes the friendship between the sister cities and is keen to participate in the friendly exchange activities in the museum over the years: "This is the link between Japan and Yunnan. Japanese friends in Yunnan and Yunnan friends who are interested in Japanese culture often gather here."

Hiroto Goto, a Japanese teacher who has been staying in Yunnan for over 20 years, was awarded the Yunnan Friendship Award in 2023. He cherishes the friendship between the two cities and participates in the annual friendly exchange activities held at the Friendship Hall. "This place is like bond for Sino-Japanese exchanges. The Japanese staying in Yunnan and Yunnan locals interested in Japanese culture often gather here."

In 2002, to commemorate the friendship between the two cities of Nie Er and Kunming, the Kunming Municipal Government sent an engineering team to build a "Spring Garden" for Fujisawa.

In the honor of Nie Er and the two cities, the Kunming municipal government sent an engineering team to build the "Chunze Garden" in Fujisawa in 2002.

Chengbi Pavilion in Chunze Garden

The couplet on the pillar of "Chengbi Pavilion" reads "The wind passes by the small pavilion and the bamboo shadows are scattered, and the clouds float, the tide and the water sing the sound of the piano", recalling the love between Nie Er and Kunteng two cities with affection.Kunming also donated a large bronze peacock statue of "Auspicious Forever" created by the painter and sculptor Yuan Xiaocen to be placed in the garden, implying peace and development.

On the pillars of the Chengbi Pavilion, the couplet reads, “Breezes pass through the small pavilion with bamboo shadows on the ground; clouds float above the tides with the violin melodies sounding around.'”

This heartfelt couplet reflects the profound connection between Nie Er, Kunming and Fujisawa. Kunming also donated a large bronze peacock sculpture titled 'Eternal Harmony' created by the painter and sculptor Yuan Xiaocen. Symbolizing peace and development, the sculpture is placed in the park.

The sound of the tide on the coast of Kunuma in Japan can be heard endlessly."Get up, people who don't want to be slaves..." The melody of the national anthem of the People's Republic of China "March of the Volunteers" reverberated across the world.Nie Er's violin touched the heartstrings of Youcheng.

The sound of the tide along Kugenuma beach is running tirelessly. The national anthem of the People's Republic of China, The March of the Volunteers, echoes strongly. The melody of friendship is still going on and on. So long lives the melody and this gives life to Nie Er’s violin.