Square dance contest in Fuzhou shatters stereotypes

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The 2nd Fujian provincial square dance competition has concluded after months of activities that redefined perceptions about the dance style, usually popular among middle-aged women in China, and showed its versatility.

The event opened in May in Fuzhou, capital of east China's Fujian Province, with the finals held on Friday.

The competition has attracted 1,388 dancing teams and troupes, with nearly 30,000 participants showing their skills on stage, making it one of the largest cultural events to be held in Fujian in recent years.

Dancers of the Golden Award winning team perform on stage during the final contest of the 2nd provincial square dance competition in Fuzhou, east China's Fujian Province, November 30, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

Square dance is a recreational activity that many middle-aged and senior women in China take up. They are often seen in the early hours of the evening swaying in unison at plazas and outdoor spaces, sometimes with props like fans at hand.

But the competition leaves no room for amateurism, and dancers on stage showed the audience how passion can turn a pastime into a true form of art.

Blending Latin dance moves with Chinese elements, a group of women in their 40s performed a number titled "The Charming New Era," winning applause from spectators.

One 60-year-old lady said, "I didn't know square dancing can be performed in such a way."

Dancers of the Silver Award winning team perform on stage during the final contest of the 2nd provincial square dance competition in Fuzhou, east China's Fujian Province, November 30, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

"Square dance can also be trendy," Chen Yun, a dancer from Fuzhou Luoyuanchangxi Dancing Team said, expressing enthusiasm about "combining square dance with many other elements to move the audience."

Many young people also participated in this event. Pingtan YT Girl Dancing Team has the youngest members among all participating teams. They borrowed moves from street dance and mixed it in their performances, making waves among the crowd.

"Square dance cannot be only for seniors, young people should also enjoy it," Pan Yi, a 22-year-old dancer noted, stressing that square dance is not age-related. "As long as you like it, you can join in on the fun," she said.

"Every performance presented here has its own characteristics," said Wu Linghong, adviser for Fujian Dancers Association and a member of the review committee of the competition.

"Traditional as well as trendy features, street dance, Opera art, all of them represent the inclusiveness of the square dance culture."

(Top Photo: Dancers of the Silver Award winning team perform on stage during the final contest of the 2nd provincial square dance competition in Fuzhou, east China's Fujian Province, November 30, 2018. /Xinhua Photo)