23 May 2018
At the invitation of the People’s Republic of China Trade Development Office in Dominica, the China International Cultural Exchange Association and the Shanghai International Cultural Exchange Association jointly organized and dispatched a 26-member teacher and student art troupe of the Chinese Traditional Opera School affiliated to the Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA) to visit Dominica in mid May 2018 for four days to give performances for the purposes of celebrating the establishment of diplomatic relationship between the People's Republic of China the Dominican Republic and actively promoting and enhancing the non-governmental cultural exchange between the two countries. The art troupe was led by Mr Han Yongsheng, Party Branch Secretary of the school. This visit was highly valued and strongly supported by the Party Committee of STA.
On the day of arrival, the art troupe, regardless of the jet lag and fatigue, went directly from the airport to the headquarters of the Liberation Party (the ruling party of Dominica) where they gave a performance with strong traditional Chinese characteristics featuring a collection of Kunqu Opera, Peking Opera and Chinese national instruments ensemble to the audience from all walks of life in Dominica. The relevant senior officials and members of the Liberation Party, officials from the Office of the President and friends from all walks of life watched the performance. On the second day, the art troupe went to the Santiago Cultural Center and gave a special performance there. The governor of Santiago, the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, a number of senators and parliament members, representatives of Chinese companies, overseas Chinese and friendly personage came to watch the performance.
The two performances perfectly displayed the charm of the quintessence of Chinese culture and the wonderful voice of Chinese national music and attracted constant applause from the audience. The art troupe was well received everywhere they went. Ms Fu Xinrong, representative of the PRC Trade Development Office in Dominica, also attended the event and made congratulatory remarks after watching the performance. Mr Han Yongsheng, head of the art troupe, said excitedly that "it is a great honor to be the first art troupe to visit Dominica on the 18th day after the establishment of diplomatic relationship to witness the history."
During the stay in Dominica, the art troupe also held a special lecture on Chinese traditional opera art to promote the Chinese traditional culture to the teachers and students of the San Domingo Polytechnic University. The teachers and students of the San Domingo Polytechnic University were particularly interested in the postures of Chinese traditional opera and the Chinese national musical instruments, and many of them come to onto the stage to try and experience including the president of the university who personally participated in the playing of percussion instruments of Chinese traditional opera. The brilliant lecture provided a window for the local university students to understand and learn Chinese culture, and drew a successful full stop for the art troupe’s visit in Dominica.
After the completing the performances in Dominica, the art troupe will fly to Argentina at the invitation to participate in the Iguassu International Youth Music Festival.
