Stage photo of dance drama Wing Chun (Photo by Wang Xiaojing)
BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The original dance drama Wing Chun, crafted with great effort by south China's city of Shenzhen, premiered today at the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, marking the beginning of its tour in the country.
The dance drama will be staged at the historic Bolshoi Theatre from April 25 to 26 and at the globally renowned Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg from April 30 to May 1, with a total of six performances.
As one of the first original Chinese dance dramas to perform in Russia's top artistic venues, the performance serves as a landmark event of cultural exchange between China and Russia.
The dance drama Wing Chun is a tribute to the heroism of ordinary people, drawing inspiration from Lingnan's traditional martial arts culture, with the Wing Chun martial art being its core artistic language. Through a blend of dance, martial arts, and cinematic storytelling, the dance drama narrates the spiritual journey of Chinese kung fu as it reaches out to the world.
Divided into six chapters, the performance lasts approximately two hours, and is centered around "Master Ye" and his martial arts experiences in Hong Kong. It showcases his perseverance in maintaining beliefs, breaking barriers, and passing on traditions, reflecting the essence of Chinese culture that values martial prowess while upholding moral integrity.
Kung fu is a hallmark of traditional Chinese culture, and Wing Chun, originating in Lingnan, is one of the earliest forms of Chinese kung fu to gain international recognition.
With the spiritual core centered on Bruce Lee's mentor Yip Man, the drama uses "light" as a medium to tell the story of a group of filmmakers chasing light and embracing dreams behind the scenes. Bridging tradition and modernity, the story weaves the legend of iconic heroes and the ordinary people behind them.
The performance not only showcases the balance of strength and softness of the Wing Chun martial art, but also incorporates other traditional martial arts styles and elements of intangible cultural heritage like "Gambiered Guangdong Gauze", reflecting the inheritance and innovation of Chinese culture.
Stage photo of dance drama Wing Chun (Photo by Wang Xiaojing)
"I have never seen such a unique dance performance, which is both rhythmic and philosophical. I was deeply touched by the tacit understanding among the performers. Wing Chun is not just a type of martial art, but a spiritual power," said a cultural critic in Moscow after viewing the show, noting that the performance had sparked a strong interest in Chinese culture.
This tour in Russia marks the fourth round of overseas performance of the dance drama, following successful shows in Singapore, the UK, and France. In London, the drama received unanimous acclaim from audiences and industry professionals with a total of 12 shows at Sadler's Wells Theatre. The performance at the Palais des Congres de Paris was also well-received.
The Russia tour signifies a continued enhancement of its international influence and showcases the competitiveness of Shenzhen's original artistic creations on the global stage.
"I originally knew little about traditional Chinese kung fu, but the dance drama Wing Chun helped me realize that martial arts can be powerful yet also possess such beauty and grace, making me eager to explore Chinese culture," said a student at Moscow State University.
Using the universally recognized art form of dancing, the drama tells Chinese stories to the Russian audience. Young dancers from the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre showcase Shenzhen's artistic strength and the vibrant charm of traditional Chinese culture through their balanced and spirited performances.
China and Russia share a time-honored legacy of cultural exchange. Russia's profound cultural heritage, with remarkable achievements in literature, music, and dance, resonates in perfect harmony with the vastness, profundity, and adaptive innovation of Chinese culture.
As the Wing Chun dance drama begins its journey in Russia, it forges a bond of understanding between the peoples of China and Russia, leveraging the bridge of art and the medium of dancing.
The show is like a seed of China's Lingnan culture carefully sown into the fertile cultural soil of Russia, carrying Shenzhen's commitment to promoting Chinese culture globally, and heralding brighter outcomes of cultural exchange in the new era. (Edited by Yu Huichen with Xinhua Silk Road, yuhuichen@xinhua.org)
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