THE opening ceremony for the 2024 China Contemporary Dance Festival took place at the Guangming Culture and Art Center on Sunday. The event was organized by the China Dancers Association, Guangming District Government, and Shenzhen Literature Art Circles Federation.

Following the opening ceremony, the dance drama “The Reunion of Oasis” was shown at the Grand Theater of the center. This performance centers on Dunhuang in Gansu Province, animating a series of vividly characterized figures that illustrate the connections between national culture and the ancient city of Dunhuang. Key scenes from the Dunhuang murals were selected, vividly reanimating cultural elements such as farming and taverns, and bringing these historical artifacts to life through stage artistry.

To further encourage local creations in emerging dance art forms, a Chinese dance video retrospective exhibition reviews the development of Chinese dance over the past 30 years through photos and videos, highlighting the diverse aspects of image creation across different historical contexts and showcasing the creative enthusiasm of contemporary young artists.

The festival also featured the dance drama “The Tea Spell,” staged Aug. 6. It is set against a backdrop of traditional Chinese cultural artifacts. Additionally, there will be dance performances from the Tao Dance Theater’s “Numerical Series,” which explores temporal and spatial rhythms through body language.

Lectures and workshops are also being held during the festival. With a focus on nurturing new talent and fostering cultural exchange, the festival embodies the essence of artistic creativity and collaboration. It brings together classic works and original creations from domestic artists, not only providing a comprehensive display of contemporary dance art but also serving as a vibrant practice in promoting Chinese traditional culture and broadening international perspectives.

Dance video exhibition: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., through Aug. 8

Dances “Numerical Series” (“13” and “14”): 8-9:30 p.m., Aug. 8

Workshop by Duan Ni:

2-4 p.m., Aug. 7

Venue: Guangming Culture and Art Center (光明文化艺术中心)

Metro: Line 6 to Fenghuang Town Station (凤凰城站), Exit B

(Windy Shao)