Li Chun-sheng (李春生), the preserver of Yunlin County’s traditional performing art, Kailu Drum Music (開路鼓樂), passed away on July 27 at the age of 88. Upon hearing this news, Culture Minister Li Yuan expressed his deepest condolences and praised Li Chun-sheng’s lifelong devotion to promoting Kailu Drum, a vital piece of local cultural heritage now at risk.
Born in 1937, Li Chun-sheng began accompanying his father, Li Yuan (李淵), a Kailu Drum and Beiguan (北管) music performer, on performances from a young age. Immersed in traditional music, he developed a profound interest and expertise in string, percussion, and wind instruments, becoming a leading figure in Kailu Drum Music culture in the Beigang (北港) area of Yunlin.
In 2017, the Yunlin County Government officially recognized Li Chun-sheng as the preserver of the Kailu Drum tradition. He was honored with the Special Contribution Award at the Yunlin Culture and Art Award in 2019. Li will be given posthumous citation by MOC for his contributions to the traditional performing art.