YNU-produced collection rated as nation's excellent

An audio-visual collection of unique traditional music from the Bai ethnic group that was produced by Yunnan University was recognized for its excellence at the national level in December 2019, according to YNU officials.

The audio-visual collection was jointly produced by the electronic audio-visual publishing house of YNU and the Yunnan Ethnic Art Research Institute.

Experts said that it would enable a large number of precious audio-visual materials from the Bai ethnic people to be rescued and protected.

At the same time, a number of the group’s folk songs, narrative songs, labor songs, children's songs and folk instrumental music -- as well as opera music, rap music and other music varieties that have been lost or are on the verge of extinction -- can be reproduced and introduced to the general public at a later date.

Officials said that in addition, the project would help enhance the cultural consciousness and self-confidence of ethnic groups.

They said it would inspire their young generations to learn their traditional cultures.

This, in turn, would effectively change the endangered state of traditional music that all ethnic groups are now generally facing. Additionally, it is expected to encourage the inheritance, protection and development of the outstanding traditional cultures of the ethnic groups.

Officials said the audio-visual collection will officially be released -- with traditional songs and videos -- within the current year.

They said the initiative will promote the development of the traditional music sector in the country.