In the early years of the Republic of China, in the Central Plains, there was a highly skilled folk suona player named Zhang Laochui. He spent his life with the suona by his side. Its stirring and lilting melodies seemed to be his unique way of speaking to the world.
Zhang Laochui had two sons, but fate took their lives down different paths. His eldest, Zhang Dachang, lost a finger in an accident. It was a devastating blow to his bond with the suona, yet it also planted a different kind of obsession in his heart. His second son, Zhang Erchang, had no interest in the instrument his father regarded as his very life. He insisted on taking a path that led away from the suona and wanted nothing to do with it.
But the wheels of fate kept turning. The arrival of his eldest grandson, Zhang Tiedan, was like a ray of dawn, rekindling hope that the suona would endure in the family. From childhood, Tiedan showed an extraordinary fondness for the instrument. Fueled by a deep-rooted love and dedication, as well as his own talent and tireless effort, he overcame every obstacle on the path of suona artistry. In time, he developed a style all his own and became the celebrated “Suona Zhang,” famous throughout the region.
This book follows the eventful life of Tiedan, “Suona Zhang,” unfolding like a vivid folk painting. It depicts the laughter and tears, setbacks and triumphs he encounters in his pursuit of suona artistry.
Along the way, it also inspires every Chinese reader to rediscover and understand the profound charm and value of folk art, awakening a deep sense of mission and responsibility for passing it down. May these treasures, carrying our national memories and cultural heritage, shine forever through the long river of history.
