On September 18th, the classic work "China—Gorgeous Girls -Diabolo" by the Beijing Performance & Art Group won the "Gold Award" at the second "Borderless" International Circus Art Festival in Russia. After the competition, they received enthusiastic invitations from acrobatic arts festivals around the world, marking a full-scale restart of China National Acrobatic Troupe's overseas performance market.
The "Borderless" International Circus Arts Festival was jointly organized by the Russian Ministry of Culture and the Russian State Circus Company, attracting groups from over ten countries and regions, including Russia, China, Mexico, Italy, and Ethiopia for artistic exchanges. The performances showcased a variety of acts ranging from technically skilled high-altitude acts, humorous and funny acts, to thrilling and awe-inspiring acrobatic performances. The competition for awards was intense with excellent performances competing on the same stage, presenting a splendid and fierce contest.
Beijing Performance & Art Group's classic act "China—Gorgeous Girls -Diabolo" stood out and clinched the "Gold Award" with exquisite skills and delicate artistic expression. The young generation of actors, carrying forward solid skills, won the eighth gold medal for this classic act with a 20-year heritage, marking the 69th gold medal for the China National Acrobatic Troupe.
The program "China—Gorgeous Girls -Diabolo" was created in 2003, basing its foundation on the traditional Chinese acrobatics act "Diabolo." It successfully achieved a perfect fusion and innovation by incorporating elements from Peking Opera, encompassing acrobatic techniques, choreography, props, costumes, and musical rhythms. The costumes in the act were adorned with "lingzi," a traditional Peking Opera feature, not only elevating the demands on the movements and skills in the Diabolo act but also revolutionizing the overall stage appearance of the performers. This infusion of classic Peking Opera aesthetics added a distinctive Chinese touch to the act. Simultaneously, elements from Peking Opera, such as the breakthrough in integrating literary and martial arts, graceful and fluid performances, and elegant and grand rhythms, have collectively contributed to the excellence of this acrobatic masterpiece.
It's understood that since its inception, the act "China—Gorgeous Girls -Diabolo" has been performed in 64 countries and regions worldwide, accumulating over ten thousand shows and attracting an audience of over 20 million people. The recent achievement of the Gold Award in Russia marks the eighth such recognition on the global stage. The act continues to receive invitations from circus and acrobatics festivals around the world, effectively disseminating Chinese national cultural and artistic achievements to audiences worldwide.
Li Chi, head of the China National Acrobatic Troupe, stated that participating in this international circus festival is a crucial step for the China National Acrobatic Troupe in seizing opportunities and revitalizing the international performance market. China National Acrobatic Troupe has received commercial performance invitations from countries such as Turkey and Hungary. In light of the ongoing large-scale circus performances conducted by the China National Acrobatic Troupe, they plan to invite top-notch international acrobatics and circus acts to perform in the Chinese market. This move signifies the comprehensive reopening of China National Acrobatic Troupe's overseas performance market.
Translator: WANG Luchun
Reviewer: LI Xiaochun
