On April 26, an intangible cultural heritage show was staged at the Zhangjiajie Airport, igniting the airport with a strong festive atmosphere for the upcoming May Day holiday. Seventy-six Chinese and foreign performers from the Zhangjiajie College's Philharmonic Orchestra and its School of Art skillfully blended intangible cultural heritage items in western Hunan into the air travel scenario. Through folk songs, hand-waving dances, and symphonic music, they offered passengers a culturally distinctive experience with strong local characteristics. 

Under the theme "Enriching Journeys with Intangible Cultural Heritage, Greeting May Day Holiday in Music," the show opened with a beautiful orchestral piece. The vibrant and stirring melodies resounded in the modern airport, capturing the attention of many passing passengers. Following that, performers in ethnic costumes took the stage. High-pitched crystal-clear Sangzhi folk songs echoed through the terminal building, offering travelers an immersive experience of the distinctive charm of this national intangible cultural heritage. 

The show climaxed with Tujia hand-waving dance performance. Following lively beats with agile movements, the performers brought to life the working and celebratory scenes of the Tujia people. Enthusiastically invited by the dancers, many travelers set aside their luggage and joined in, waving their hands in time with the rhythm. The laughter and cheerful voices  bridged the distance between strangers. The airport terminal was transformed into a lively cultural playground, turning passengers from spectators into participants.

The show featured both authentic intangible cultural heritage displays and artistic expressions integrating Chinese and Western elements. The simplicity of mountain folk songs, the exuberance of the handwaving dance, and the elegance of symphonic music merged together, not only preserving the cultural roots but also catering to the aesthetic tastes of modern travelers. Passengers took photos to capture the moments and actively engaged with the performances. "I just waited here for my flight, never expecting to see such an authentic intangible cultural heritage show. The Sangzhi mountain folk songs are so infectious, and the handwaving dance is particularly interesting. Waiting for the flight has become a real joy," said Mr. Li from Guangdong.

This show served as a prelude to the May Day holiday events. During the holiday, Zhangjiajie Airport will continue to present a series of intangible cultural heritage activities, with an expanded repertoire and enhanced interactive elements, ensuring that every traveler can experience the charm of intangible cultural heritage along their journeys. It will unlock a new "aviation + cultural tourism" experience and burnish Zhangjiajie's distinctive brand of integrated aviation, culture, and tourism.

This article is from Hunan Provincial Government. www.enghunan.gov.cn.  

Translator: Pang Yuehui

Chinese source: hunantoday