The Spirit of the Great Wall gala wows UK audiences

A gala evening titled The Spirit of the Great Wall , performed by China’s Jilin Provincial International Cultural Exchange Center, was held in London on Monday.

Inspired by stories surrounding China’s architectural masterpiece the Great Wall, the event featured a variety of performances, including dance, traditional folk opera, acrobatics, and martial arts, showcasing the country’s diverse ethnic cultures.

The show featured 13 performances, starting with a grand display that wowed spectators with the powerful and spirited beats of Chinese drums.

The audience was also captivated by the graceful elegance of the folk dances. A group of dancers, wearing red straw hats and flowing red skirts, moved gracefully to the center of the stage, with their nimble dance steps showcasing the unique beauty of the East.

The art troupe from Northeast China's Jilin province also brought their show to Edinburgh from August 12 to 14 during the Edinburgh International Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious arts festivals, held in the Scottish capital.

“We hope that, through the performance, United Kingdom audiences can understand the profoundness of traditional Chinese culture and experience its diverse ethnic traditions,” said Sha Bin, director of the Jilin Provincial International Cultural Exchange Center.

Chinese dancers perform during a gala evening titled The Spirit of the Great Wall in London on Aug 19. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Chinese dancers perform during a gala evening titled The Spirit of the Great Wall in London on Aug 19. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Chinese dancers perform during a gala evening titled The Spirit of the Great Wall in London on Aug 19. [Photo provided to China Daily]

An acrobat from China performs during a gala evening titled The Spirit of the Great Wall in London on Aug 19. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Peking Opera artists from China perform during a gala evening titled The Spirit of the Great Wall in London on Aug 19. [Photo provided to China Daily]