BRICS artists get to know each other through dance

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‍At the on-going BRICS Cultural Festival in China's coastal city of Xiamen, one of the most acclaimed activities is a "masterclass" where students and fans have the chance to meet with and speak to the artists themselves.

A group of dancers from South Africa and Brazil have managed to wow students from the Xiamen Arts School. The enthusiasm was evident from the first moment they met.

The students performed a series of traditional Chinese folk dances for the visiting artists, including the Tibetan Wild Bull Dance, Mongolian Eagle and Horse Dance and the soft Yangko Dance.

A dancer perform during the "masterclass". /Photo via Xiamen Arts School

The Brazil's CISNE Negro company also brought their unique performance, which has an innovative choreography that echoes tales of modern life in Sao Paulo.

"The piece we are performing is part of San Paulo, part of our culture. We try to show it with this choreography," said Maria Fernand, the international manager of the CISNE Negro Company.

Artists from South Africa also presented their folk dance. Accompanied by specially designed traditional instruments, the energetic movements mimic the offensive and defensive moves used in tribal wars.

Dancers perform during the "masterclass". /Photo via Xiamen Arts School

"We brought different dances from South Africa. This is to celebrate our diversity in our dance. We got to know each other: each other's culture, and each other's languages," Aubrey Sekhabi, Artistic Director of the South African State the Atre noted.

Watching two distinct styles of dance from such distant countries gave the Chinese students a new perspective towards dancing.

"It's a rare opportunity. It's the first time that our school has had such a cultural exchange program. Their dances are relaxing and natural. Though they're just dressed casually, I can feel their passion for dance," said a student from Xiamen Arts School.

Dancers perform during the "masterclass". /Photo via Xiamen Arts School

People-to-people exchanges are one of the three pillars of cooperation among the BRICS countries, and the "masterclass" has definitely helped lay the foundations for greater exchanges in the future.

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