'Elegance and Charm of Shanghai' opens China-UK Culture and Arts Festival

Asian Association of Culture Commerce and Education in Europe is hosting a special concert titled "Elegance and Charm of Shanghai."

It opened the 2025 China-Britain Culture and Art Festival in grand style.

Music, dance, and cultural exchange. It's all happening at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, right at the heart of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Nearly a thousand guests, including Mr. Donald Wilson, former Lord Provost of Edinburgh, were there for opening night, one that made history.

For the first time, the erhu, a traditional instrument, was featured as the centerpiece of a dedicated concert, performed by a full ensemble of top-level musicians.

"Our traditional music has its own language. Much of it can't be taught, only felt. When you're truly immersed, you begin to understand the spirit of the Chinese people,” said Wang Yongde, professor at Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

This performance brings together three generations of erhu players and showcases a wide range of styles. It's about passing on the culture and making it understood around the world.

A Highland dance by students from the Brenda Ronnie School of Dance started the evening off, setting the mood with joyful rhythm and cross-cultural spirit. For many, especially the younger ones, it was a first encounter with Chinese traditional instruments.

From the melodies of Shanghai to the traditions of Scotland, Echoes of Shanghai builds cultural bridges through music, celebrating shared humanity in every note.