By: Catherine Lu
On the afternoon of May 2, 2026, the annual “Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Day Market: Art and Air Performances” kicked off at the Rincon Center in San Francisco, marking the beginning of this year’s celebration series.
This event is jointly organized by the nonprofit organization Value Culture, the Society of Art and Living Archives (SALA), and the catering establishment Yank Sing, with strong support from the APA Heritage Foundation and the Robert J. Louie Memorial Fund.
At the celebration, guzheng performer Liu Yichen was invited to take the stage. She performed the classic piece “Daughter’s Love,” a timeless masterpiece derived from the 1986 version of Journey to the West. Through the live performance on the guzheng, the original melody’s tender and poignant emotions were elevated into the longing of overseas wanderers, transcending mountains and seas, along with their patriotic sentiments. As the strings began to resonate, her fingertips poured forth an artistic texture as smooth as jade, ethereal and refined. The melody, delicate yet profound, carried a subtle intensity, like a ripple disturbing still waters, capturing both the elegant grandeur of Chinese classical style and the purest, most moving emotions of the human spirit.
This performance, rich in “cultural symbolism,” resonated deeply with the Chinese diaspora in the audience, drawing many to pause and listen, moved by the shared memories of generations woven into the music. After the performance, Ms. Liu engaged in meaningful interactions with audiences of diverse ethnic backgrounds, explaining the history and structure of the guzheng, a millennia-old instrument. The guzheng’s ethereal yet resonant tones allowed guests from various countries to appreciate the profound depth of Eastern stringed music.
Beyond traditional Chinese folk music, this celebration vividly showcased the integration of diverse cultures. Artists from China, Singapore, Vietnam, and other countries took turns performing in a high-stakes aerial show. The performers displayed the ultimate aesthetics of strength and resilience mid-air in the atrium of the Rincon Center. The cross-cultural blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern visual arts earned rounds of applause from a diverse audience that filled the atrium.
More than a feast for the senses, the event helped the AAPI community enhance its international influence and foster interethnic dialogue. Through the interweaving of traditional Chinese music and contemporary performance arts, San Francisco once again showcased its inclusive and vibrant cultural dynamism to the world.
