Hunan acrobatics brought good news from overseas this autumn. From September 17 to 20, two performance teams of the Hunan Acrobatic Arts Theatre were dispatched to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, and Minsk, Belarus, to participate in two major international circus festivals. The two teams claimed three honors—a silver award, a special award, and the "Special Jury Award."

Diabolo Juggling "Light Stream Chasing Shadow" programme wins a silver award in Dushanbe.

At the first International Circus Arts Festival held in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, acrobatic performers from 14 countries competed on the same stage. The festival, themed "Circus World—Uniting Hearts," was held by Tajikistan for the first time to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the country's independence.

The Diabolo Juggling "Light Stream Chasing Shadow" programme staged by the Hunan Acrobatic Arts Theatre took the stage. With the spinning diabolos tracing dazzling light and shadow to the rhythm, the performance ultimately won both the silver award and the special award.

"Story of Xiangxi" programme impresses the international jury in Minsk

At the 4th Minsk International Festival of Circus Arts held at the Belarus State Circus, about 120 acrobatic artists from 21 countries gathered. The jury lineup included internationally renowned circus producers, directors, and heads of circus troupes.

The programme "A Journey of Dream– Mysterious Xiangxi: Rolling Lamps," jointly created by the Culture, Tourism, Radio, Film and Television Bureau of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture and the Hunan Acrobatic Arts Theatre, competed in the festival. Originated from the original acrobatic drama "A Journey of Dream–Mysterious Xiangxi," this programme is based on the traditional Chinese rolling-lamp acrobatics, deeply integrating intangible cultural heritage elements such as Xiangxi Miao drum dance, Maogusi dance, and Nuo opera. On stage, under the performers' precise physical control, the rolling lamps tumbled and moved in their palms and on their feet while the candle flames never went out. The incorporation of contortion skills further gave the performance an Eastern aesthetic, presenting a "flowing epic of Western Hunan culture." With highly creative artistic expression and solid skills, the programme ultimately won the "Special Jury Award" and will subsequently carry out more than 30 touring performances within Minsk.

From cultural exchange stages to international competitive arenas, the Hunan Acrobatic Arts Theatre has remained committed to both tradition and innovation. Going forward, it will continue to produce outstanding performances and use art as a bridge to tell China's stories and showcase the charm of Hunan on the global stage.

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

Translator: Pang Yuehui

Chinese source: hunantoday