Dutch scholar delves deep into world of Chinese folk songs

Frank Kouwenhoven talks with Hua'er singers in Minxian County, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 11, 2025. Frank Kouwenhoven, a 69-year-old Dutch scholar, has dedicated over 20 years to studying Hua'er, a folk song popular in northwest China.

Hua'er literally means "flower" in Chinese. This oral art form, expressed in various dialects, originates from lyrics that compare women to flowers and has been cherished by nine different ethnic groups for over six hundred years. In 2009, UNESCO recognized Hua'er as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Kouwenhoven described Hua'er not only as a living art but also as a shared passion with his wife, Antoinet Schimmelpenninck. The couple discovered Hua'er in the 1990s and has then embarked on a treasure hunt in northwest China.

Just as the couple's research on Hua'er was nearing results, Kouwenhoven's wife passed away from cancer in 2012, leaving him devastated. The Hua'er project was subsequently put on hold, becoming an emotional burden he was reluctant to confront.

Kouwenhoven returned to Gansu in 2017 after realizing that the best way to honor his late wife was to continue their joint research on Hua'er.

"As I continued my trip in China, I could sense the presence of my wife beside me. We share many common aspirations, such as our desire to conquer the highest mountain and immerse ourselves in the most vibrant Hua'er," Kouwenhoven said.

Speaking of the future, Kouwenhoven hopes to promote Hua'er overseas. "I have plans to write two books. One about the music and the other about our adventurous trip searching for Hua'er." (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Frank Kouwenhoven shares his views on Hua'er at a vocational secondary specialized school in Minxian County, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Lang Bingbing)

Frank Kouwenhoven films a Hua'er show in Minxian County, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 11, 2025.(Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Frank Kouwenhoven films the teaching of Hua'er by an inheritor (C) at a vocational secondary specialized school in Minxian County, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Lang Bingbing)

Frank Kouwenhoven films a Hua'er show in Minxian County, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Frank Kouwenhoven films a Hua'er show in Minxian County, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Lang Bingbing)

An aerial drone photo shows a Hua'er folk music event in Minxian County, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 16, 2025. (Photo by Chen Zhong/Xinhua)

Frank Kouwenhoven enjoys a Hua'er show in Kangle County, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 25, 2025. (Photo by Liu Jiuming/Xinhua)

Frank Kouwenhoven walks on a mountain in Minxian County, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

This undated file photo shows Frank Kouwenhoven and his wife Antoinet Schimmelpenninck posing for a photo with a Hua'er singer in northwest China's Gansu Province. (Xinhua)

Frank Kouwenhoven interviews Hua'er singers in Minxian County, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Lang Bingbing)

Frank Kouwenhoven interviews Hua'er singers in Minxian County, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Lang Bingbing)

Frank Kouwenhoven files Hua'er song clips at a hotel in Minxian County, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Lang Bingbing)

A Hua'er singer (C) performs in Minxian County, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Frank Kouwenhoven (L) talks with a Hua'er singer in Minxian County, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 11, 2025.(Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Frank Kouwenhoven (2nd R) talks with Hua'er singers in Minxian County, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 11, 2025.(Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Frank Kouwenhoven films a Hua'er show in Minxian County, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Frank Kouwenhoven poses for a group photo with Hua'er singers in Minxian County, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Lang Bingbing)

Frank Kouwenhoven is on the way to attend a Hua'er folk music event in Kangle County, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 25, 2025. (Photo by Liu Jiuming/Xinhua)

Frank Kouwenhoven (2nd L) talks with Hua'er singers in Minxian County, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

A Hua'er singer performs in Minxian County, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)