Minnan culture dances across stages

A scene from the Three Chapters of Little Egret. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Xiamen Little Egret Folk Dance Art Center staged two shows of its dance drama Bailu Sanzhang, or Three Chapters of Little Egret, in Beijing from Aug 21 to Aug 22, featuring nearly 70 young students of Xiamen Art School.

Co-produced by Xiamen Little Egret Folk Dance Art Center and Xiamen Art School, the performance offered audiences a visually stunning feast rich in local ethnic characteristics.

The dance drama features over 20 classic dance works from the art center's 30-year history of preserving and innovating folk and ethnic dance. The show is divided into three main chapters — the Poetic Wind Era, focusing on ethnic and folk dance; Poetic Rhythm of the Strait, highlighting the beauty of Minnan life; and the Poetic Vision of the Future, integrating elements from multiple countries to present a world of diverse, harmonious dance arts.

Minnan denotes the southern region of Fujian province, characterized by its unique origins, distinct features, and historical significance.

A scene from the Three Chapters of Little Egret. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Premiering at the Minnan Grand Theater in December last year, the production, which coincided with the art center's 30th anniversary, received widespread acclaim. This year, the show has been further refined to better showcase the rich cultural essence of Minnan.

The Xiamen Little Egret Folk Dance Art Center was formerly known as the Beijing Dance Academy's experimental class for Xiamen folk dance. In April, the Xiamen Little Egret Folk Dance Art Center performed in the capital, celebrating the Beijing Dance Academy's 70th anniversary and the unique, enduring bond between the art center and the esteemed academy.

The shows are part of the ongoing selected stage works for the Beijing exhibition to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, combining theater performances with online broadcasts. In addition to over 80 performances across major Beijing theaters, there will also be online broadcasts.