Tianshannet-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Du Jianhui) news: On the afternoon of December 16, Abumiti Kuerban, a folk artist from Guolewusitang Village in Tieganlike Town, Ruoqiang County, carried his dutar to the cultural courtyard in the village.

“As music lovers, it has become our routine to gather once a week. Without playing a few tunes, life feels incomplete,” explained 71-year-old Abumiti. Last week, his old friend Balati Bake and his wife had gone to Korla City for a health check. They just returned a few days ago, so they planned to visit Balati together.

Photo taken on December 16, 2023 shows folk artists gather in the Cultural Courtyard of Guolewusitang Village, Tieganlik Town, Ruoqiang County, Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Ruxangul Turdahun)

The cultural courtyard is converted from Balati’s own house, consisting of a large living room, a musical instrument display area, and a musical instrument production and processing area. At 73 years old, Balati is the village’s skilled instrument craftsman. Influenced by his father, he has been making instruments for over 60 years. Whenever folk instruments like the dutar and rawap need repair in the county, people would turn to him. Gradually, his home has become a gathering place for folk artists to exchange skills and enjoy singing together.

“Everyone is waiting for you,” Balati’s wife said warmly when she saw Abumiti, offering him a seat. Violinist Wujiabula Rouzi, rawap player Azizi Wujiabula, and others—just as usual, seven or eight people were already gathered around the table. “The living room used to be quite small. As more people came, I expanded the house, installed air conditioners, so it’s neither cold in winter nor hot in summer,” explained Balati.

Balati’s living room is quite spacious, with an area of over 80 square meters, easily accommodating more than 20 people. The living room is mainly used for friends and villagers to dance and sing. Another room serves as a display area, showcasing over a dozen instruments he has crafted, such as the dutar, rawap, and hand drum, along with various handicrafts. As people explore the house, they will come across a meticulously hand-painted wooden map of China.

Photo taken on May 31, 2023 shows Balati Bake (first on the right), the owner of the Cultural Courtyard in Golewusitang Village, Tieganlik Town, Ruoqiang County, Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, gather with folk artists. (Photo by Ruxangul Turdahun)

Abumiti suggested, “Balati, after seeing your masterpieces, let’s play a piece called I’m Waiting for You in Ruoqiang as a warm welcome to our friends from afar.” As soon as he spoke, a medley of ethnic musical instruments immediately resounded in harmony.

“Anaerguli, I’m waiting for you in Ruoqiang, where flowers bloom in the desert, and hope is sown in the oasis...” accompanied by a beautiful melody, Balati’s wife sang with deep emotion. “She used to be a staff member at the town’s cultural station and is a professional singer,” said Ruxianguli Tuerdahong, the director of the Tieganlike Town Cultural Station. She added that this song praising their hometown is an original creation by the county’s folk singer Aixiding Tuerxun.

The music coming from the courtyard attracted neighbors, and the living room gradually filled up. “Let's sing The East Is Red together,” suggested villager Aziguli Yilihamu. “I'm going to perform at the village’s evening show this year, so I want to take this opportunity to practice a few more times.”

The dutar, rawap, and hand drum played in harmony as Aziguli sang with great emotion, and a folk music chorus resonated in the village courtyard.

Today, the cultural courtyard has become the spiritual home for the people of Guolewusitang Village, a place where they seek knowledge, joy, and prosperity. People from various ethnic groups in the town gather here for meetings, share meals, play instruments, sing, and dance.“Gatherings like this are common in our village, and many folk artists from other townships also come to join us,” said Ruxianguli. During the day, everyone is busy, but in the evening, playing an instrument or singing a song helps us relax and adds zest to life.