Chinese troupe takes center stage at cultural festival in Jordan

JERASH, Jordan — A traditional Chinese performance took center stage on July 25, thrilling audiences at the 39th Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts.

The performance, Colorful China, was staged by a 15-member troupe from North Minzu University in northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region. The group presented a vibrant 13-piece program that combined traditional music, ethnic dance, and ancient instrumental art.

The troupe's leader, Bao Wenxing, expressed his pride in bringing his troupe's performance to a Middle Eastern stage for the first time.

Bao notes that China and Jordan share a long-standing history of economic and cultural cooperation, and such events are an extension of the relationship and friendship between the two countries.

The traditional Chinese performance drew a warm response from the Jerash Festival audience.

"The choreography, the music, and the costumes, they were all so different and beautiful," says Lamar Khalil, a Jerash resident.

Lina Ahmad, an art teacher from Zarqa, described the evening as "a lesson in elegance and tradition", adding that the performance provided her with a rare glimpse into another culture's artistic language.

The 39th edition of the Jerash Festival, which runs through Aug 2 under the theme "Authenticity, Continuity", features more than 235 performances from 35 Arab countries, along with other foreign countries from around the world.

Festival Executive Director Ayman Samawi says the strong international turnout reflects Jordan's openness, calling the festival "a cultural ambassador for the country".

Zhao Xiaoqiang, a cultural counselor at the Chinese embassy in Jordan, says that cultural exchanges play a vital role in fostering mutual understanding, particularly in the Middle Eastern and North African regions.

The Chinese troupe's performance conveyed a message of goodwill from the Chinese people to the Jordanians, promoting peace, harmony and friendship.

Zhao hopes that such exchanges will inspire more Chinese travelers to explore Jordan's heritage and experience Jordanian hospitality.

"I am confident there will be more Chinese people coming here and they will build stronger ties between China and Jordan," Zhao says.

Founded in 1981, the Jerash Festival has evolved into one of the region's premier cultural events, transforming the ancient city into a global stage for music, dance and artistic dialogue each summer.

Xinhua