Xiamen holds BRICS cultural festival

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The host city of the 9th BRICS Summit, Xiamen, is holding a week long cultural festival to celebrate BRICS cultural diversity and exchange.

The festival began with a Night of Ballet, featuring dancers from Russia's state academic Bolshoi theater, South Africa's Joburg Ballet and China's National Opera and Dance Drama Theater.

An exhibition of paintings and photos from the BRICS countries in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 15, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Each performed its most famous piece. For China, it was a scene from the Red Detachment of Women. For Russia, Swan Lake.

In the week to come, 210 artists from BRICS countries will stage 30 performances of theater, music, dance, cinema and others in Xiamen.

Indian musicians sing at a concert at the BRICS Cultural Festival in Xiamen, Sept. 16, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

People-to-people exchanges, including the hosting of joint cultural events, is one of the three main pillars of cooperation among BRICS countries.

Esther Jean Nasser, head of South Africa's Joburg Ballet, said her ballet has been collaborating with a Chinese troupe on a performance.

The exhibition of paintings and photos from the BRICS countries in Xiamen, Sept. 15, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

"Getting together like this with other countries is a very important step for all BRICS countries to understand each other better," Nasser said.

"I am glad the festival helps the public get to know BRICS countries' cultures. More such events are definitely needed," said Xu Gang, a choreographer from the National Ballet of China.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency