Uncle Shanghai Finds New Homes for More Than 2,000 Musical Instruments
By Wang Lei
Feng Shuncheng, a 74-year-old uncle from Shanghai, has become a local legend for his passion for music and dedication to his craft as a musical instrument repairman and old-school musician. With over 20 years of experience running a musical instrument repair shop, Feng has amassed a collection of more than 2,000 musical instruments, many of which he acquired from abroad.
However, the recent wave of urban renewal and reconstruction in Shanghai has forced Feng to relocate his beloved store. The question on everyone’s mind was whether Uncle Shanghai would be able to find a new home for his cherished collection.
Feng has had a storied career in the music industry, repairing and making musical instruments, forming bands that traveled across the country, and even studying abroad to learn more about his craft. His contributions to the music scene have been recognized by renowned filmmakers like Jia Zhangke and Wong Kar-wai, who have documented his life and work.
In a bittersweet turn of events, Feng was faced with the daunting task of finding a new store before the deadline for relocation. Despite encountering numerous challenges such as distance, rent, and financial constraints, Feng remained determined to find a suitable new home for his instruments. He even considered the drastic measure of destroying the instruments he couldn’t relocate, rather than seeing them fall into the wrong hands.
Fortunately, after much searching and perseverance, Feng finally found a new store in a flower, bird, fish, and insect market in Putuo District. With a renewed sense of hope and purpose, Uncle Shanghai is now gearing up to start a new chapter in his life, continuing to share his love for music with the world.
As Uncle Shanghai prepares to play his “next song in life,” his loyal fans and supporters eagerly await to see what melodious tunes he will bring to his new shop.