[Explanation] At the beginning of the New Year, in the rehearsal hall of the Kezhou Song and Dance Troupe in Artush City, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang (hereinafter referred to as "Kezhou"), the melodious Kumzi (Kirgiz stringed instrument) accompanied by drums , a melodious and long voice echoed in the rehearsal hall.

　　[Explanation] Maimaiti Turgan Aishek, who grew up listening to "Manas", is a "Manaski" and a composer of the Kezhou Song and Dance Troupe. He not only participated in musicals "Manas", also participated in the creation of its background music.

　　[Concurrent] Actors of Maimaiti Turgan Aishek State Song and Dance Troupe

　　Didn’t I learn composition? After I came here, I learned computer music production, (using) modern music elements to use the melody of “Manas” to (make it more) richer, (doing a lot) to make “Manas” Nas' melodies are more interesting and accessible to the masses.

　　[Explanation] "Manas" is one of the three heroic epics in China. It has been included in China's national intangible cultural heritage list and UNESCO's "Human Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative List".

In recent years, Xinjiang has accelerated the creative transformation and innovative development of excellent traditional culture. Dance dramas, operas, and song and dance dramas adapted from the libretto of "Manas" have been performed to the outside world.

　　[Concurrent] Head of Buwaigal Hookxik State Song and Dance Troupe

　　We creatively transformed and developed on the basis of the orally sung "Manas" epic, and created an original song and dance drama "Manas" with both singing and dancing and narrative narrative.

　　[Commentary] "Post-95" Kyrgyz boy Bahetibek Aikebai will play the hero Manas in the musical "Manas" re-arranged this year.

　　[Concurrent] Kezhou Song and Dance Troupe Bahetibaike Aikebai

　　I grew up in a song and dance troupe, watched my own father play Manas, and was infected by the spirit of Manas. I will also follow the best example of our predecessors and continue to carry forward our heroic epic "Manas", what I hope most is that our "Manas" can be loved and supported nationwide.

　　[Concurrent] Actor of Tursun Ayi Saramatiq State Song and Dance Troupe

　　I played Kanikai, the wife of the hero in the musical "Manas". She is a beautiful and brave woman. Si" was performed well and promoted to the whole country and even the world.

　　[Explanation] The Kezhou Song and Dance Troupe is the only professional art performance group in China with the Kirgiz ethnic group as the main body.

In recent years, Kezhou has insisted on the protection and development of intangible cultural heritage, inheritance and innovation, and strengthened the protection of various ethnic minority traditional cultures including "Manas".

According to the plan, the play will go to Beijing to perform in March 2023.

　　Reported by Chu Xu from Artush City, Xinjiang

Editor in charge: [Fang Jialiang]