Do you remember the creaking sound of the old-fashioned sewing machine foot pedal driving the belt, and the clicking sound when delivering cloth and pressing feet? Do the children around you know what the ploughs, rakes, mills, and mills that have accompanied the older generation for many years look like? In the home of Zhang Yonggui, a citizen of Wenzhou, surrounded by green trees and flowers, there is a "folk relics exhibition hall".
The courtyard displays old objects
Restore old times
In Zhang Yonggui's courtyard, green bricks and white walls, green trees, a green spring babbling, more than 100 old objects full of age and bonsai are scattered. From wind valley carts, wooden ploughs, rakes, coats, threshing racks, to stone mills, grain cabinets, sewing machines, kerosene lamps, jewelry bearers, washbasin racks, all kinds of means of transport, manufacturing equipment, all kinds of daily necessities, craft products, ceremonial instruments, coin stamps... Through these old objects, you can get a glimpse of the changes in Wenzhou's life over the past century.
"I always have an idea to keep the imprint of my past life, so that children who have never seen these things can see the wisdom of our ancestors' lives." Zhang Yonggui said that when he was young, his family lived in hardship, and now when he sees old objects from the old times, there is always a sense of bitterness and sweetness. In his free time, he would clean the courtyard and carefully take out each of his treasures and wipe them carefully. "Let future generations have traces to follow, this is my original intention to collect old objects, but also to cherish folk memories and educate future generations to do something of commemorative significance." Nowadays, parents and teachers often come to visit Zhang Yonggui's courtyard with children, so that children can feel the passage of time in this Chinese courtyard.
Create your own music room
Fulfill your teenage dreams
Born in 1960, Zhang Yonggui not only likes to collect old objects, but also loves music. "I really like the music, I love it." Talking about the topic of music, Zhang Yonggui immediately raised his eyebrows and danced. In 2013, he built his own "music room" in the basement of his home and soundproofed it. Walk into this "music room" full of all kinds of instruments. He excitedly showed reporters his treasures: electronic keyboard, cello, guitar, erhu, violin, saxophone, phoenix and more than ten other instruments. The reporter found that there is more than one instrument of each instrument, and he collected 7 harmonicas alone. "I learn to play an instrument because I'm happy, as long as I can 'afford it'!" He has never taken a music class, because of his heartfelt love for music, he is groping for self-taught with his naturally good sense of music. Today, he can play more than a dozen instruments, blowing and playing everything. On weekdays, whenever he has time, he practices his instruments in his own music room, playing saxophones, flutes, erhu, gourd silk, chatting happily and improvising, switching freely among various instruments.
"Compared to national instruments, my favorite of Western instruments is the saxophone, the unique metal magnetism of the saxophone is very attractive, and now many friends like it, know that I play well and are willing to learn from me." Zhang Yonggui said that at the beginning of this year, they established the Longwan District Music Association Saxophone Society, and many friends followed him to learn saxophone, and he also enjoyed it, doing public welfare to teach students to play saxophone. "There is no harm in learning to play saxophone, it increases the charm of middle-aged and elderly people, and enriches retirement life."
Zhang Yonggui, who plays an instrument, found a group of like-minded people in the community and gathered to rehearse as soon as he had time. In 2014, they formed the Wanshun Community Folk Orchestra, with Zhang Yonggui as its leader. The folk orchestra has dozens of members, with an average age of 55 years old, and each has their own "masterpiece". This spontaneous small orchestra has a wide range of instrument types, hosts, conductors, and lead singers, and everyone performs their duties and cooperates tacitly. "Although they are all past the retirement age, as long as they pick up the instruments they are familiar with, it is like returning to the most spirited time of the year, and their mentality will be much younger."
Retirement is not idle
Carry out the public welfare to the end
Zhang Yonggui's folk orchestra not only plays music to entertain themselves, but also often participates in community activities and performances, bringing joy to residents. In addition to the establishment of community folk orchestras, they also joined the Longwan Folk Orchestra, Longwan Philharmonic Orchestra and other orchestras, and were invited to perform in cultural auditoriums and parks in various counties (cities, districts).
Regarding public welfare, Zhang Yonggui also has another identity, he is the "Minister of Health and Environment" of the community industry committee. Every time he is active in the community, he will be responsible for the health of the site, and lead the team to set up a volunteer team, regularly inspect the environmental health of the corridors and greenery of the community, and promote environmental knowledge to the residents. As a member of the industry committee and the building director, he cooperated with the relevant units to "transform" the corridor into an art exhibition hall, and each floor of the corridor has a hole in the sky. There is no pile of objects here, but it is like a small piece of art world, and the style of each layer is different. "I am a person who can't stay idle, volunteering to provide convenience for everyone, can improve neighborhood relations and quality of life, and enrich and be happy." Zhang Yonggui said.
Source: Wenzhou Evening News
Original title: Zhang Yonggui: Turning life into poetry
Reporter Wu Yiqi/Wen
Wu Zhuomo/Photo