A singer performs during the 2025 "Village Songs Resound" Jiangsu Provincial Showcase in Rudong, Nantong. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The 2025 "Village Songs Resound" Jiangsu Provincial Showcase illuminated Rudong county, Nantong, from June 28 to 29, featuring dynamic performances by 19 village choirs.

Nearly 1,000 cultural volunteers from around the province came together to celebrate rural life through music, performing heartfelt songs that highlighted the beauty of their hometowns and the joy of daily life. The event was watched by over 2 million people online through livestream.

The Hongyun Choir from Songling subdistrict, Wujiang district, Suzhou delivered an heartfelt rendition of Love Never Ends. Consisting of over 70 passionate singers, they frequently perform free shows at villages, construction sites, and nursing homes, inspiring artistic energy wherever they go.

The Silver-Haired Choir from Baoyan Ancient Town in Zhenjiang, with an average age of 76, captivated the audience with Waterwheel Chants, a traditional farming song that vividly depicts scenes of communal labor in the Jiangnan countryside.

The Haibazi Ensemble from Rudong presented their original piece, Men Raised by the Sea, a powerful and heartfelt homage to the perseverance of fishermen along the South Yellow Sea. "This song shares our personal story," said Xiao Mengmeng, a Binhai village resident in Changsha town, "and performing it helps us connect more deeply with the lives and cultures of others."

In addition to music, the event included a cultural fair offering intangible heritage activities like redwood carving, as well as a market exhibiting local specialties such as clams, Langshan chicken, and seaweed.