FENGLING

Xu Xiaofeng, a master violin maker, treats the instrument before varnishing it in Huangqiao, Jiangsu province, on April 20.[Photo provided to China Daily] 'Violin capital of China' creating jobs, artistic appreciation Huangqiao, long famed for its sesame cakes, is now home to more than 230 violin companies, earning it the nickname the violin capital of China. Li Kunyu, 12, lives in Huangqiao, Jiangsu province, but does not want to take over his parents' convenience store or learn to make sesame cakes from his grandparents as many have done for generations in the town. Instead, he dreams of being a violinist. He has been playing the instrument for five years, and last year, when the local community held a Spring Festival gala, he performed the Chinese folk song Jasmine Flower in public. There were over 300 people in the audience, including my parents, Li said. Afterward, my mom held me tight and said she was so proud of me. Like Li, most young people in the town of about 200,000 can..