Doumen show enhances Maritime Silk Road talks

Maritime Silk Road songs and dances restoring Doumen's On-Water Wedding folk art were performed before a thousand viewers from home and abroad on Nov 28.

The authentic On-Water Wedding folk customs from Baijiao Town in Doumen District were staged at the Zhuhai Huafa & CPAA Grand Theatre. The protocol involved in local wedding rituals include a reception, meeting the bride by boat, bowing to mutual parents, and singing the Xianshui (Saltwater) Song to bless the newlyweds.

The folk tradition was designated as one of the second-batch state-level intangible cultural heritage items in 2008.

Other performances of unique Lingnan culture were the Song of Litchi, which along with ethnic music and dances, included an ensemble of Pipa, a four-stringed Chinese musical instrument, and Xiao, a vertical bamboo flute, and martial arts, acrobatics, as well as ballet.

Stories and legends portrayed from along the Maritime Silk Road [Photo by Cheng Lin / Zhuhai Daily]

The aria Nessun Dorma from the Italian opera Turandot was another highlight, demonstrating fusion of Chinese and Western arts.

The show was part of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Forum on International Communication & Chinese (Guangdong) Companies Going Global. It is being held at the Zhuhai International Convention & Exhibition Center from Nov 28 to 30. The gathering, under the theme of "Cooperation, Communication & Value," provided companies with information about going global and created an international exchange for cooperation.

The show was sponsored by the Publicity Department (Information Office) of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, Zhuhai government, and China Economic Information Service.

The Guangdong Song & Dance Ensemble organized the event in conjunction with Huafa Group.