Ten Years of Chinese Style

　　China News Service, Beijing, October 2nd,

　　Reporter Xing Rui

　　When it comes to square dancing, what scene comes to your mind?

Is it a group of uncles and aunts with permed hair, sunglasses, or colorful silk scarves dancing to music in parks and squares?

　　Square dancing is a low-cost, easy-to-learn and social form of fitness entertainment.

An industry report in the early years showed that the population of square dancers in China has reached nearly 100 million.

With the intensive pace of domestic and foreign exchanges in the past ten years, the "square dance aunts" have also attracted more and more attention from the world.

"Mysterious Power from the East"

　　The British brother for three seconds is still fresh in his memory.

　　Three Seconds lives in Sheffield, England.

He is a fan of traditional Chinese culture and a Chinese son-in-law.

In 2019, he and his daughter-in-law returned to China to visit relatives. While visiting the great rivers and mountains and tasting all kinds of food, he also remembered the "square dance aunt" that can be seen everywhere.

　　He said that he couldn't figure out what kind of magic power could make people who didn't know each other dance in a neat line at the same time and in the same place?

Which rhythm master did the background sound and the magical little steps above?

　　When he expressed his confusion to his wife, he saw that the other party smiled seriously: "This is a mysterious power from the East."

　　This "mysterious eastern force" is sweeping the world.

From the Louvre in Paris, the Red Square in Russia to the Times Square in New York, the Chinese people have moved and danced in the past ten years.

　　In 2014, the song "The Most Dazzling Ethnic Style" resounded over Times Square in New York. 100 "Chinese aunts" danced to the beat on the streets of foreign countries, exuding a confident aura from the inside out.

　　This is a flash mob event participated by the New York Chinese Song and Dance Troupe. The head of the group, Feng Jie, still remembers the scene at that time: "After the dance, we waved 100 five-star red flags and sang "My Chinese Heart" together. Very shocking."

Data map: On January 21, 2013, a Chinese folk dance troupe participated in the parade on Pennsylvania Street, USA.

The confident figure behind "The Divine Comedy"

　　When groups of oriental faces dance casually in the exotic highlights, the Chinese cultural characteristics of seeking common ground while reserving differences, being inclusive, and being lively and open-minded are full of vitality.

　　From the alleys around you to foreign countries, square dancing that can be seen everywhere has become a footnote for Chinese people to pursue a healthy lifestyle and show an upward spiritual outlook.

Behind this is the desire for a better life, the happiness and self-confidence brought by the rapidly rising country to ordinary people.

　　According to He Wenyi, Secretary-General of the National Sports Industry Research Base of Peking University, square dancing has the attributes of fashion culture and sports culture.

"The dance and music of square dance are constantly being updated, and the audience includes all age groups, even professionals with dance skills. When outstanding talents enter this field, square dance is likely to change from a 'local culture' to an elegant culture. "

　　He Wenyi believes that what the square dance craze reflects is the direct process of ordinary people enjoying a better life.

The "Chinese aunt" dancing on the streets abroad is not only a manifestation of cultural self-confidence, but also a form of China's "cultural export" in a sense.

　　Three Seconds from the United Kingdom told reporters with high eyebrows that when he saw the rise of square dancing, he couldn't help but join it, as happy as a "little top" in his twenties.

Data map: On December 31, 2017, the 2017 "Hello Aunt" National Square Dance Finals was held in the beautiful Xishuangbanna, Yunnan.

Photo by Chen Chunguang

national and global

　　Feng Jie, who has lived abroad for decades, founded the New York Chinese Song and Dance Troupe in 2009 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the National Day.

For 13 years, Feng Jie and her song and dance troupe have been committed to making beautiful Chinese art take root in the United States.

　　The 2015 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the New York Chinese Song and Dance Troupe was invited to participate.

Accompanied by Dong music, they choreographed a set of square dances with simple movements, but with ethnic customs.

When the team dressed in national costumes took to the streets, the onlookers shouted at the parade: "Hello, China." At that moment, she and many actors walking in the team burst into tears, and they felt proud of being a Chinese. However live.

　　During her more than 20 years in the United States, Feng Jie has performed and lectured on many Chinese folk music works at the Julia Conservatory of Music in the United States, and published a pipa solo album. Since 2009, she has also founded the "New York National Day Gala" and acted as a program planner in a large number of Chinese art activities. People, chief director, and artistic director. He has also staged a number of gala performances such as "Mulan" from the Liaoning Ballet on the mainstream stage in the United States, building a cultural bridge between China and the United States with practical actions, and showing the American people and the descendants of China at close range. Tell Chinese stories.

　　"There are still many, many excellent cultures in China. Opera, ballet, symphony... all inclusive, all rivers are included," she said. "The beauty of these arts from China will always amaze the local audience."

The 2015 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Photo courtesy of the interviewee.

　　When the Chinese style and the western world blend and collide, whether it is the art performance of "spring in the spring and white snow" or the down-to-earth folk fitness, they are all silently telling Chinese stories, bringing together the traditional Chinese culture with the connotation of the times. to the international stage.

And every story records the hard work and hard work of outstanding Chinese sons and daughters.

　　"In the United States, Chinese culture plays a very important role. Every time there is a multicultural exchange event, we must be the most bright and indispensable to be invited." Feng Jie said emotionally.

And her tone is full of pride and confidence in Chinese culture.