Songs transcend mountains and seas, and friendship knows no bounds.
On August 8, the 2026 Pécs Cantate International Folk Choir Festival came to a successful conclusion at the Kodály Centre in Hungary. The Edelweiss Women’s Choir from Changchun was awarded the “Voice of Hungarian-Chinese Friendship" Golden Diploma of the Organizing Committee of the 2026 Pécs Cantate International Folk Choir Festival, jointly presented by Pécs Municipal Government and other organizers. Yet this journey was far more than just about accolades. Through their songs, the choir engaged in a heartfelt dialogue with the world, voicing the enduring Chinese-Hungarian friendship. They also brought with them the cultural identity of Changchun and the official invitation to the 33rd Winter Universiade in 2027 (hereinafter referred to as “Changchun Winter Universiade”)—a snowy embrace extended from the city to the banks of the Danube, letting the world hear Changchun’s voice. This trip was not only an artistic journey but also one of friendship and invitation.
Oriental Melody Amazes Kodály Centre
The Kodály Centre, an architectural marvel resembling a grand piano when viewed from above, stands as an iconic cultural and artistic landmark not only in Pécs but throughout Hungary.
Renowned for its top-notch European acoustic design, the Centre played host to the most anticipated core event of the festival, where choirs from various countries joined forces to perform classical masterpieces. When the Edelweiss Women’s Choir took the stage, they immediately captured the hearts of the audience with their exquisite ethnic costumes and pure, emotive vocal harmonies.
The choir’s centerpiece performance was Bellflower Taryeong (桔梗谣), an iconic Korean ethnic folk song. Adapted into a women’s choral arrangement by Professor Yin Zhengwen, doctoral supervisor and professor at the School of Music and Dance, Northeast Normal University, the piece preserves the original fresh, unadorned melodic lines of the traditional folk tune. Through delicate and nuanced harmonization, Professor Yin enriched the piece with layers of complexity and expressiveness. Another featured performance was Recapitulation (赘述), also an adaptation by Professor Yin, highlighting his inventive choral arrangement skills through his creative treatment of the original music material.
Under the baton of conductor Liu Shiyu, the choir’s immaculate harmonies and heartfelt delivery fully captured the distinctive ethnic charm of both pieces. The applause that followed their performance echoed throughout the hall, resonating with the appreciation of their artistry. The Kodály Centre, an artistic sanctuary that has hosted world-renowned ensembles, was graced with the vivid sounds of Chinese folk music, leaving an indelible mark of cultural exchange.
In the grand finale of the evening, Professor Yin Zhengwen joined eight distinguished international conductors on stage to co-direct the magnificent work Carmina Burana as the closing performance. Joined eight distinguished international conductors on stage to co-direct the performance. This not only affirmed his outstanding artistic capabilities but also marked a significant artistic milestone for a Chinese conductor on the global choral stage.
The Edelweiss Women’s Choir’s performances and cultural exchange resonated deeply with Hungarian mainstream media, drawing significant attention. Magyar Televizi (MTV) produced a feature story on the choir’s performance and cultural interactions, capturing the heartfelt moments wherein these singers from Changchun conveyed messages of friendship through music. The name “Snow Edelweiss” became known to a wider European audience, helping them learn about Changchun and discover China through the choir’s music.
Voice of China: Singing for Sino-Hungarian Friendship
This journey was far more than mere performances for Edelweiss Women’s Choir—it was also an immersive cultural exploration and profound artistic exchange. The choir actively participated in five choir masterclasses, city stroll concert series, the Széchenyi Square (Szechenyi Istvan Ter) Open-Air Choral Carnival, and several impromptu choir performances in the cities of Budapest and Pécs. These performances brought melodies from the East to the historic streets of European cities.
A Warm Welcome
On August 5, the festival hosted a grand welcome banquet. The event featured speeches by Professor Tamás Lakner, Lifetime Honorary Dean of the Faculty of Music and Visual Arts at the University of Pécs, and Ms. Yao Li, Director of the Edelweiss Women’s Choir. At the choir’s suggestion, Professor Lakner personally led everyone in singing Me and My Motherland (我和我的祖国). The familiar strains of this Chinese melody created an unforgettable moment of cultural exchange between China and Hungary.
Opening Night of the Festival
The Folk Song Night opening concert on August 6 was a symbolic curtain-raiser for the festival. Edelweiss Women’s Choir joined forces with Hungarian local choirs to deliver a deeply moving rendition of Swan Geese (鸿雁). The delicate and evocative tune resonated across borders and cultures, marking an impressive beginning to their European journey.
In another highlight, the choir engaged with Hungary’s traditional folk arts by learning folk dance alongside the Zengő Folk Band. Through whirling steps and vibrant rhythms, they experienced the unique charm of Hungarian ethnic art firsthand. Music transcended boundaries, and the lively dancing fostered mutual understanding and deepened cultural ties.
Serenading the Square
On August 7, the members of the Edelweiss Women’s Choir joined fellow choristers from around the globe to sing together at Jókai Square (Jókai tér). The open-air stage removed the barriers between performers and audiences. Fueled by their shared passion for music, the Chinese choir formed bonds with new international friends and left behind fond memories of their heartfelt singing.
Seizing the opportunity, conductor Liu Shiyu enthusiastically promoted his hometown Changchun to the local people and vividly explained the musical characteristics of the Korean ethnic folk song Bellflower Taryeong. He then led the choir in a spontaneous a cappella performance of their gold-award-winning piece, with their pristine harmonies resonating across the square.
Later, at the open-air concert in Széchenyi Square, the choir stood shoulder to shoulder with Hungarian citizens, singing together to declare “Long live Sino-Hungarian friendship.” The melodies transcended languages and borders, embodying the genuine and profound bond between the two peoples.
Exploration and Artistic Enrichment
Beyond the busy schedule of performances, the choir also delved deep into the rich history and cultural heritage of Hungary. Their visit to the Kodály Centre gave them the opportunity to witness a rehearsal of the monumental choral work Carmina Burana up close. This firsthand experience with Europe’s time-honored musical traditions significantly broadened the choir members’ artistic horizons and offered them an invaluable cultural enrichment experience.
A Tale of Sister Cities: Resonance Across Thousands of Miles
During the festival, the Mayor of Pécs accompanied representatives of the Edelweiss Women’s Choir on visits to the Pécs City Hall and local cultural venues, and joined them in enjoying several performances. Cordial exchanges marked the meetings, where the mayor warmly welcomed the choir’s long journey to the festival, commending their artistic excellence and the value of the cultural exchange.
Both parties exchanged culturally symbolic gifts during their meeting—tokens that reflected and strengthened the heartfelt friendship between the peoples of China and Hungary.
This cultural bond is not a recent development. In May 2026, during a choral event marking the countdown to the 2027 Winter Universiade in Changchun, a choir from Hungary’s University of Pécs traveled to Changchun to perform. Changchun, an iconic “Ice City” in Northeast China, renowned as the cradle of China’s automobile industry and celebrated as a “City of Culture” and “City of Music,” warmly welcomed their Hungarian guests with open arms and resonant songs.
Music bridges continents, and friendship has already taken root. Now in Pécs, the bonds of friendship forged through music were renewed. The Edelweiss Women’s Choir performed We Met in Changchun (我们在长春相遇), a heartfelt expression of goodwill that invited their Hungarian friends to attend the upcoming 2027 Winter Universiade in Changchun. It was an invitation that symbolized the beginning of a new chapter in their musical and cultural friendship in the “City of Ice.”
As the saying goes, “What is national is global.” True to this belief, the Edelweiss Women’s Choir has consistently strived to bring regionally and ethnically unique music to stages around the world.
From the historic landmarks of a millennia-old European city to the acoustically enchanting Kodály Centre, from the open-air choral performances at Széchenyi Square to winning the prestigious gold award, the Edelweiss Choir has used their voices to build bridges across cultures. More than receiving global recognition for Chinese folk music at an international level, their journey also carried the warmth of Changchun’s cultural charm and the icy welcome of the upcoming Winter Universiade to new friends along the Danube.