中国达人将赴欧洲巡演

‘Talent’ contestants to tour Europe

Popular contestants from the “China’s Got Talent” TV show, including armless piano player Liu Wei who won the competition, will perform in Austria, Italy and France from January next year, director Jin Lei said on Monday.

Dragon TV had signed contracts with the popular contestants to arrange performances for them, Jin said.

“We are also considering invitations from universities, inviting contestants like Liu to give lectures,” Jin said.

“China’s Got Talent” was first aired on July 25 by Dragon TV in Shanghai. Liu, who played the piano with his toes, won the final on October 10.

Liu lost his arms when he was 10 after touching a high-voltage cable* during a game of hide-and-seek. He decided to follow his dream of becoming a musician and taught himself to play piano despite his disability.

Dragon TV and Liu had reached an agreement to limit Liu’s performances so there might be no concert in China in the near future, Jin said.

Contestants such as Liu had displayed a strong and positive* character, said Zhang Yiwu, cultural critic and professor at Beijing University.

“They have shown confidence, optimism and unremitting* pursuit of their dreams with their own efforts, especially in difficulties, and these are inspiring to all. I think that is why the show is so popular with Chinese audiences,” Zhang said. (Xinhua)