Qi Chenjiong

Walking through the time-worn streets of Xun County Ancient City, Central China’s Henan Province, Chinese musician Dai Yutong —who boasts 30 million followers across social platforms —felt something rare in today's fast-paced world: the sensation of time itself slowing down.

"The city walls, slate roads, and historic shop signs seem to be able to hear the breath of history," Dai told the Global Times Online during the 18th Central Plains (Hebi) Folk Culture Festival on February 9. But what struck the post-90s performer most was not the visual scenery—it was a sound. "The thick and powerful drumbeat from afar, like the heartbeat of this land, gave me an instant understanding of what is a living culture," Dai recalled.

That heartbeat came from Shehuo, the region's centuries-old folk celebration that transforms the ancient city into a vibrant stage every Spring Festival. For Dai, who has performed on numerous modern concert stages across China, Shehuo offered a revelation about the nature of performance itself.

"The performance here is not for being viewed, but for sharing and passing on experiences," Dai explained. This observation led to a shift in perspective: "It made me realize anew that the ultimate purpose of performance is not to show off skills, but to build resonance, convey emotions, and even preserve memories. The audience is not only a receiver but also a collaborator in completing together."

The physicality of Shehuo performers particularly captivated the musician. "The performers' bodies are completely open, and their body language comes from the land and celebrations, have a rooted power," Dai noted. This raw, grounded expression—rooted in agricultural celebrations and communal joy—may influence Dai's approach to stagecraft. "It inspires me to pay more attention to the overall expression of the body on the stage, rather than just the voice or expression, make the performance a multi-sensory narrative."

Located in northern Henan Province, Xun County is China's national historical and cultural city, home to over 300 protected cultural relics and the UNESCO World Heritage Grand Canal. The ancient city's "two mountains embracing one city" layout has remained largely intact for millennia.

As the interview concluded, Dai offered a reflection that bridged the ancient and contemporary: "As a musician born in the 1990s, in Xun County, I have felt that the most avant-garde creations often stem from the deepest roots; true internationalism is being able to confidently tell one's own story."