A special cultural event showcasing Chinese acrobatics was held on Friday at the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), ahead of the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on September 17 this year.
The event titled "Together Under the Same Moon: Hunan Meets the UAE," attracted an audience of more than 700 to experience an acrobatic performance at the Cultural Foundation's theater.
The Hunan Acrobatic Troupe presented a variety of captivating performances, including ball juggling, puppet shows, hoop diving, and plate spinning, as well as traditional cultural performances such as vocal mimicry and folk dances.
Dancers perform a traditional Hunan folk dance at the cultural show in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on September 6, 2024. /CMG
Zhao Shuangwu, vice chairman of the Chinese Acrobats Association and director general of the Hunan Acrobatic Art Theater, said the purpose of the performance was to share the warmth and spirit of reunion that the Mid-Autumn Festival embodies with the local audience.
"We have included both traditional folk dances and modern elements such as street dance, combined with acrobatic techniques, creating a diverse and multifaceted performance," she said.
Comparing her experience of performing in the Middle East to China, she said great potential lies ahead as local audiences become more familiar with Chinese culture.
"I feel strongly that the local people seem more exposed to Chinese culture than before and have a greater interest in it," she said. "I believe there is more potential for developing the market here."
The show was preceded by an exhibition of intangible cultural heritage from central China's Hunan Province, offering people the chance to experience the traditional arts of dough modeling and Chinese knot tying, and to sample some mooncakes – adding a festive touch to the day's memories.
A performer interacts with a young audience member at a pre-show cultural event in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on September 6, 2024. /CMG
The event, which was also held in Ras Al Khaimah on Sunday, was co-organized by the UAE China Cultural Center, the Hunan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, and the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, with guidance from the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Chinese Embassy in the UAE.
Launched in 2017, the global Mid-Autumn Festival celebration "Together Under the Same Moon" brings together Chinese cultural centers and tourism offices around the world each year to share the festival's themes of reunion, harmony and happiness.