Artists from China carry out Chinese language dance drama “Mulan” on the Kennedy Middle in Washington, D.C., america, Sept. 29, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)
The dance drama, created by Ningbo Performing Arts Group in Japanese China’s Zhejiang Province, gained the celebrated Lotus Award in December 2018, which represents the best honor for dance in China.
by Xiong Maoling, Hu Yousong
WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) — By way of compelling dance and beautiful music, the story of Hua Mulan, a legendary Chinese language heroine who dressed as a person and joined the military in her father’s place, resonated deeply with the U.S. viewers, because the dance drama “Mulan” not too long ago made a shocking debut in Washington D.C.
The colourful and noteworthy dance with Chinese language Kung Fu components, heat and passionate music, on prime of a heartbreaking story with humorous moments, gained rounds of applause from some 1,800 audiences on the John F. Kennedy Middle for the Performing Arts final week.
“It was nice. I believe that is one of the lovely issues I’ve ever seen,” 13-year-old Clare Kavanagh advised Xinhua in pleasure after watching the dance drama along with her mom. They drove 60 km from Leesburg, Virginia, to see the efficiency.
Karen Fleming, who got here from Rockville, Maryland, stated that she had seen the film Mulan earlier than, however was nonetheless “very entertained” by the dance drama and capable of comply with alongside “as a result of the dancing was so vibrant and actually advised the story.”
Fleming advised Xinhua that it was very nice to see a powerful lady character and the love she had for her father. “I believe though it is previous (story), it is nonetheless related as we speak.”
Echoing her views, Alison Friedman, who traveled from Chapel Hill, North Carolina — over 400 km away — advised Xinhua that Mulan is a narrative of somebody who loves household and may be very courageous, and she or he loves Mulan particularly as a result of it’s a feminine hero story.
“I believe America and China each share the love of a hero story of someone who believes in one thing passionately and can danger the whole lot to pursue it,” stated Friedman, who’s the chief and inventive director of Carolina Performing Arts.
Having lived in Beijing for 16 years and talking fluent Chinese language, Friedman stated that arts are essentially the most vital facet to “see our humanity, what now we have in frequent, what we share.”
“I sincerely hope performances like this proceed to construct stronger people-to-people relations,” she stated.
Artists from China carry out Chinese language dance drama “Mulan” on the Kennedy Middle in Washington, D.C., america, Sept. 29, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)
Doryl Jensen, who additionally got here to observe the present from the U.S. state of North Carolina, advised Xinhua that when he first went to China 20 years in the past, he was fairly taken with Chinese language historical past and tradition.
Now retired, Jensen has labored for a few years on performing arts exchanges between the 2 nations and has invited what he described as “great” performing teams from Internal Mongolia, Shanghai and different locations to america.
“I believe cultural exchanges, particularly on the performing arts stage, is extremely essential for strengthening the picture of the folks, the concepts that they trade,” stated Jensen.
The dance drama, created by Ningbo Performing Arts Group in Japanese China’s Zhejiang Province, gained the celebrated Lotus Award in December 2018, which represents the best honor for dance in China.
As a part of China Arts and Leisure Group’s “Picture China” present sequence, the dance drama was offered on the stage of the Kennedy Middle from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1. Simply days earlier than, it made its U.S. debut on the Boch Middle in Boston on Sept. 23.
Tweed Roosevelt, the great-grandson of former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt and a professor at Lengthy Island College, watched the efficiency in Boston. He advised Xinhua earlier that with the challenges in U.S.-China relations, what folks suppose issues tremendously.
“The folks of America must know extra in regards to the Chinese language, and this is a superb means,” stated Roosevelt.
Earlier than the premiere in Washington D.C., Li Baozong, common supervisor of China Arts and Leisure Group, stated at a reception that “the loyalty, filial piety and patriotism on this work are additionally frequent feelings of mankind,” and he believes that American audiences will definitely resonate.
Chinese language Ambassador to america Xie Feng, who additionally attended the reception for the premiere within the U.S. capital, stated Mulan’s braveness and her love for household, for her nation and for peace are admirable attributes cherished in each Chinese language and American societies.
“The identical traits are vital for as we speak’s China-U.S. relationship: the braveness to forge forward, the resolve to blaze a brand new path and the perceptiveness to look by way of the mists,” stated Xie.
“When Chinese language and Individuals are nearer, the 2 nations can be nearer,” stated the Chinese language ambassador. “With better flows of individuals throughout the Pacific, we can have a greater likelihood to stabilize and enhance the China-U.S. relationship.”■