London, 13 July 2025 (by Liu Ying & Zhao Xuemei)
The Youlan Qin Society celebrated its 22nd anniversary on 13 July with a special Yaji gathering at SOAS University of London, marking this year’s World Guqin Day.
The event also served as the official launch of the 3rd London International Chinese Music Festival, which will take place from 25–30 August 2025.
Co-organised by China Arts UK, Youlan Qin Society, and the UK Chinese Music Ensemble, in collaboration with the Chinese National Orchestra Society and several academic institutions, this year’s festival will once again bring together leading Chinese and British musicians, scholars, and international guests to present a rich blend of traditional and contemporary Chinese music.
A Milestone for the Youlan Qin Society
Founded on 13 July 2003 — symbolically referencing the seven strings and thirteen markers of the guqin — Youlan Qin Society is Europe’s largest and most influential non-profit organisation dedicated to the guqin. Led by Dr Cheng Yu, guqin and pipa lecturer at SOAS, with longstanding support from The Prince’s Foundation and SOAS, the society has held over 150 Yaji gatherings and 21 summer schools, with over 500 members and students from more than 20 countries.
The society has long been a bridge between East and West, not only promoting Chinese classical music but also exploring interdisciplinary connections with tea culture, calligraphy, meditation, and poetry. It has performed at renowned venues such as the British Museum and V&A Museum, and continues to serve as a vital platform for intercultural exchange.
The anniversary coincided with World Guqin Day, and featured performances of classical masterpieces such as Flowing Water and Three Variations on Plum Blossoms by the Society’s youth ensemble and members of the UK Chinese Ensemble. Musicians from China, the UK, Australia, and the US collaborated to present an impressive repertoire including An Auspicious Evening, The Banished Empress, Spring on Snowy Mountain – Swan Lake, Orchid Pavilion, and Song of the Yue People, bringing fresh energy and global perspectives to Chinese musical traditions.
Looking Ahead: The 2025 London International Chinese Music Festival
The 2025 edition of the London International Chinese Music Festival will span London, Oxford, and Telford, featuring:
- Five thematic concerts,
- A five-day Summer School of Chinese Music,
- Chinese Music Grading Exams and Competitions in traditional Chinese instruments.
- Other activities
Key concerts include:
“China-West Soundscape” Concert (29 August): premiering works by contemporary composers including Auspicious Clouds by Zhao Jiping, Village Festival by Li Xinyan, Sword Dance by Ray Lin, and Boundless by Sun Keting.
“Echoes of Nature” Gala Concert (27 August): spotlighting intangible cultural heritage such as kunqu opera, guqin, and silk and bamboo ensemble music.
Distinguished Artists and Diverse Curriculum
This year’s teaching faculty features:
- Prof Zhao Xinzhi (yangqin, Xi’an Conservatory of Music)
- Prof Lin Weilan (guqin)
- “Silk Road Qin Resonance” Yangqin Ensemble
- Prof Li Xinyan (composer, Bard College, USA)
- Ray Lin(young composer/conductor, Australia)
- Pipa: Dr Cheng Yu
- Guqin: Zhang Jiaqi
- Guzheng: Yang Kang, Ji Mengdie
- Erhu: Huang Ziyang
- Bamboo Flutes: Lu Zongpu, Li Guangtai
- Kunqu Opera: Wang Wei
- Percussion: Michel Skelton
Courses include pipa, guqin, guzheng, erhu, dizi, xiao, kunqu, percussion, as well as ensemble training, calligraphy, Go, and creative workshops — offering a comprehensive, immersive musical and cultural experience.
An Invitation to Join Us
The organisers view the festival as more than a performance series — it is a platform for dialogue between cultures, nurturing new talent, and promoting Chinese music on the global stage.
We warmly invite artists, students, enthusiasts, and the wider public to join us this summer in celebrating the beauty and depth of Chinese music and culture.
📍 Full programme and registration details available at:
👉 www.ukchinesemusic.org/london-international-chinese-music-festival-2025Enquiries: 07483 226076 (Azalea Qin)
In the Media
The anniversary celebration and upcoming festival were also covered by major overseas Chinese and arts media outlets:
https://www.52hrtt.com/ar/n/w/info/fifm2025071406385511573734
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/YxcyVF9Aqh8wnkoMVhtymA
