International dance festival showcases Silk Road culture

The 6th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival, themed "Dreams of Dance, Harmony of Silk Road," dazzled from July 20th to August 5th. Over 1,000 artists from over ten countries and regions in Asia, Europe, and Africa gathered in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, to solidify their cross-border friendship via dance.

With performances spanning ethnic dance, ballet, classical dance, dance dramas, operas, and musicals, 60 captivating shows from Asia, Europe, and Africa took turns to stage in Xinjiang, feasting the audience's eyes on the splendid culture and art shows. 

The opening act of this dance festival was the original dance drama "Zhang Qian" by the troupe of Xinjiang Art Theater Dance Company.

"Zhang Qian's journey to open up the Silk Road, creating a communication network of trade, politics and culture connecting China and the Far East with the Middle East and Europe. The dance festival echoes the spirit of the Silk Road by bridging friendship through dance," said Xing Shimiao, the chief director of the opening ceremony.

Nadezhda Borisovna Markeyeva, the director of the song and dance ensemble "Zorenka" of Balashov City, Saratov Oblast of Russia, was deeply moved by the dance drama "Zhang Qian." She said, "Although we don't share a common language, I fully understood the entire plot of 'Zhang Qian.' It is so moving to see how the protagonist pioneered the Silk Road, overcoming challenges to gain sincere friendship and touching love.

Nusretullah Wajidin, the Honorary Chairman of the Xinjiang Musicians Association, also felt excited after watching the dance drama "Manyanano: The Spirit of Ubuntu" by the Elvis Sibeko Studios of South Africa.

"Although their dancing techniques differ significantly from ours, I can feel the South African artists conveying pure passion and joy to the audience through their body language," he said.

Human civilization's diversity paints the world in kaleidoscopic colors, where diversity leads to communication, and communication develops integration, which boosts shared development. Scenes of different cultures merging and dazzling were seen everywhere throughout the dance festival.

"Openness," "prosperity," and "beauty" are the most frequently mentioned words by Chinese and foreign artists when talking about their journey to Xinjiang.

"Urumqi is even more vibrant than before and so beautiful!" exclaimed Kulmisa Baytuleyeva, a musician from the State Honored Dance Ensemble of the Republic of Kazakhstan Saltanat, who visited Xinjiang for the third time to perform.

During breaks between performances, Polatibekova Kerimeti from the "AK Maral" State Dance Ensemble of Kyrgyzstan hung out with her fellows, went shopping, and visited art exhibitions. She wore a red and white floral dress she bought in China and purchased a peony-patterned fan, saying, "This trip to China's Xinjiang is unforgettable in my lifetime!"

Source: Xinhua; trans-editing by Guo Yao