Gansu Folk Art Troupe

Gansu, located in Northwest China, is the cradle of Chinese civilization. Based on the province's abundant cultural resources, the Gansu Folk Art Troupe has always endeavored to explore the folk arts in West China, create programs of strong local characteristics, extend the arts market and enhance folk cultural exchanges since the establishment. The troupe consists of great artists from the Gansu Long Opera Troupe and Gansu Acrobatics Troupe.

The troupe has accumulated a wealth of repertoires of various art forms, such as the "Drum Dance For Peace," which was adapted from the famous "Peace Drum" on the Loess Plateau with a history of more than 600 years. The dance, known for its incomparable grandeur and power, displays the beauty of masculine vigor and male virility, symbolizing the spirit of Chinese culture. Most of the troupe's dances, acrobatics and musical performances are derived from the folk arts. Some, like the "Drum Dance for Peace," "Supporting the flower-ring with Feet" and "Walking on Soft Rope" acrobatic shows, have won many awards at both domestic and international competitions.

The troupe has successfully paid performing visits in Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar, where all of the performances were very well received. Programs presented to the three neighboring countries are comprised of dances, acrobatics, songs and folk music performances, with a strong flavor of local characteristics.

The troupe president, Zhang Bingyu, is also the director of the Gansu Cultural Bureau.