Within the framework of an ambitious art project Joyful Spring Fest, mysterious and inimitable world of Chinese culture became a little closer to Ukrainian public: in Kyiv and Lviv performances of actors of Zhengzhou Opera and Ballet Theatre and representatives of TAGO Shaolin martial arts school from Dengfeng took place. OUTLOOK was lucky to go backstage of the show right before actors came on stage.
Before the colorful performance, press-conference took place that was participated by:
- Deputy Head of the diplomatic mission of the embassy of People’s Republic of China in Ukraine;
- Actors of Zhengzhou Opera and Ballet Theatre;
- Heads of delegations and art director of Zhengzhou Opera and Ballet Theatre;
- Chairman of culture and research centre of Ukraine and China “Linhua”;
Chūnjié, or the Spring Festival, is a traditional solemn Chinese holiday with a distinct bright national character. It symbolizes tranquility, concord, happiness and welfare.
Zhengzhou Opera and Ballet Theatre shows aesthetics of fine classic Chinese choreography in an exotic style that is common only for the Celestial Empire.
Zhengzhou theatre is a professional art team that was awarded Lotus Dance Prize more than once. One of the program’s main components was instrumental solo on Erhu and Guzheng, ancient Chinese instruments; it brought unique and distinct atmosphere of China to the audience. Notably, rock musicians have turned to Erhu recently: founder and front man of an American band Hsu-nami plays it as well as Ukrainian band Fleur.
As to the show of flying Shaolin monks from Dengfeng, Henan province, in the territory of which the famous Shaolin temple is situated, it became a gem of the entire show! Trainees of the famous Tago martial arts school, winners of international Kung Fu tournaments performed during the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in Athens, opening of Special Olympic World Games, Asian Games as well as opening and closing ceremony of Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Their performance is bright and impressive, demonstrates graceful actions of world-famous wushu. Educatees of Tago School flew and jumped on the stage of the National Opera of Ukraine exclaiming loudly and holding real weapons in their hands! Demonstration of incredible abilities of human body such as breaking of iron with one’s head, piercing of glass with a thin needle and cracking of a piece of metal with merely a finger became the climax of the performance of Chinese Shaolin monks.
In a local history museum in every country you visit, you will certainly notice similar archaeological finds - fragments of clay products. Pottery, born millennia ago, but “living” even today, can rightfully be considered one of the most tenacious one. The uniqueness of clay was noticed by our distant ancestors who lived in caves ...
Buddhists say: to get rid of suffering, one should get rid of desire. There are special places for that. Today we suggest you to check out our top five of stunning temples, where Buddhists and tourists are looking for a way to harmony for their souls.
When I, as a little girl, for the first time passed my hand over trimmed bush, my palm got scratched with sharp edges of twigs and lasting arborvitae fragrance hit my nose. Mesmerized, I was not able to take my eyes away from the cones, balls and squares that surrounded me in the park of a small resort town. I felt like being inside a fairy tale, where behind the leaves I could notice a smile of the Cheshire Cat.
Dazzling flashes of ancient knowledge manifested in colourful shimmering beads and in elaborated yarn mosaics by Huichol Indians, captivate the imagination calling for an endless journey through branches of the world tree. Spiritual images take on flesh in intricate ornaments that accompany a Mexican peasant throughout his life.
Composers of antiutopias predict hundreds of sorrows to the people of the future who are from times to times forbidden to celebrate weddings, however, it seems, everything is not so terrible. In Chinese province Yun Nan near the foot of Himalayas the matriarch tribe mosuo resides that is not familiar with the concept of marriage at all.
Bali is one of the most popular places to spend winter. Ocean, volcanoes, amazing nature and exotic fruits... But there is also one more reason that not many people know of, yet it definitely deserves attention: Kamasan, a unique art village where namesake Balinese picture art was conceived – as ancient as the island itself. We are going to tell about it today on the pages of the OUTLOOK.
Ice and snow has long been used by artists to create different figures and objects, and only 1960, this age-old skill became a new trend of a land art! The largest number of winter artworks is created during special festivals about which we will tell our readers.
For not to have among our readers too many sad and whiny people counting days till summer or even warm spring days, the OUTLOOK would like to share at least one reason to love the cold season with all heart. The opportunity is to go to the Chinese city of Harbin and eyewitness fantastic and cool festival of ice and snow.
Exclusive glass vases and Christmas tree decorations that only exist in one or two samples, aside from high price, most often also have in common unique production technology that is mastered by representatives of a rare profession – glass-blower. The history of the craft has lasted for a couple of millennia with some old secrets of handmade production still kept under seal.
In those days when the Persian soldiers were second to none, and both the Roman Empire and the Arabian Peninsula were conquered by their power, skilful fingers of winner nation craftswomen created their first masterpiece. The carpet called The Springtime passed into history as the most precious of all time. It symbolized powerful rule of the Persians, and its beauty told about the divine origin of the king Khosrow I.
Behind the window sad eyes of old man peered at Petrograd engulfed by revolutionary fire. This fire spread on his life's work: a proud four-story building was invaded by noisy commissioners and sailors, whose presence seemed a cruel joke after regular customers. Workshop owner Carl Gustavovich Fabergé, apparently, noticed in this chaos approaching decay of his career. However, he could have a secret gleam of hope for another life of his heritage.
Many places, famous around the globe today, were created by a bunch of enthusiasts without money or outside help. These people lived for their ideas and were doing everything to turn them into reality. Official date of street art appearance is believed to be year 1942, fervor of World War II.
A borderline between the shadow and the light is just as contrasting as the one between the dream and the reality. Therefore artists use both things in pursuit of balance on a painting. Landscapes, portraits and still-life… nothing ever goes without the clash of the opposites. However there are particularly crafty artisans who do not need light at all.
Traditional Japanese kabuki theatre has always been a mystery to the European mentality: only an expert on the culture of the Land of the Rising Sun can understand a play without guide’s tips. The word kabuki is sometimes translated as "the art of singing and dancing". Why not an operetta? The essence of performance is not confined to musical presentation only...
Do you happen to get hungry? That is great as we go on with our story about the most popular street food from around the world. It’s freshly cooked - fall to, you guys! Let's start with the South Asian countries, namely Singapore - seafood-rich in vitamins and minerals occupy a key place in the diet of residents ...
Independent artist originally from the Philippines, Patrick Cabral conquers the world with his unusual artwork. His creations are an innovation that combines the age-old traditions of calligraphy and cutting-edge 3D technologies. His art is a way to change the world for the better, both through aesthetics and through the fulfillment of a social mission.
- Do you want to try some rice? - such a question is greeted by guests in China. And if the owners are also farmers, they can invite you on an unusual excursion and show you the masterpiece of natural art. The grass which we often eat without thinking about its aesthetics, at the time of growing resembles a blanket woven from multi-colored rags ...
Flowers and trees, animals and birds, dragons and fairytale characters – to put it short, anything that may come to your head can turn into an object of edible art there. Amazing technique of painting with hot sugar is possessed by craftsmen from Sichuan province. Paintings performed in almost caramel can be neither “edited”, nor painted over.
Twelve-string guitar, the twilight of Portuguese nights, candles, and soul-gripping voice… Dramatic incentives of fado song tell about unrequited love. It cannot appear in the crossroads of destinies; however, it enables feelings to embody into the touching sounds of Portuguese romances.
Airports, railway and bus stations are almost always erected at a human whim, while ports and harbours are joint creation of homo sapiens and nature. In this article OUTLOOK presents you the most beautiful port destinations with their own unique character worth exploring.
