As the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day draw near, the Chinese Zodiac Flashmob film "Nice 兔 Meet U" premiered for the global audience on the afternoon of September 28. The grand premiere took place at the Cultural Space of the Beijing Overseas Cultural Exchange Center (BOCEC), and was attended by the creation team, performers, Chinese zodiac culture experts, prominent media outlets, and numerous devoted fans of Chinese zodiac traditions. They all engaged in a diverse range of Mid-Autumn cultural experiences. The Chinese Zodiac Flashmob event, now in its eighth consecutive year since 2016, is hosted by the Beijing Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau and organized by the Beijing Overseas Cultural Exchange Center.
In Chinese lunar calendar, 2023 is the Guimao Year of the Rabbit. As one of China's much cherished auspicious creatures, the Rabbit embodies such characteristics as gentleness, kindness, and purity, symbolizing the eternal cycle of life and bestowing blessings of longevity. In an effort to share the auspicious symbolism of the Chinese Zodiac Rabbit with the world, the Chinese Zodiac Flashmob production team from the Beijing Overseas Cultural Exchange Center went to two European cities: Brussels of Belgium, home to the headquarters of the European Union, and Athens of Greece, the capital of ancient Western civilization. Through a captivating blend of music, dance, and cultural interactions, they aimed to unveil the enchanting allure of Chinese zodiac culture and convey the friendliness and kindness embodied by the Chinese Zodiac Rabbit to a global audience.
Chinese Dance Amazes Europe with Renewed Interpretations of Chinese Traditional Culture
With swaying garments and swirling skirts, the artists presented the local communities with the mesmerizing "Moon Dance", which was choreographed for the 2023 Chinese Zodiac Flashmob event. The dance drew inspiration from classical Han and Tang Dynasty dance traditions, incorporating elements of the Chinese Zodiac Rabbit into its costume design. The outcome was an elegant and lively portrayal of the Zodiac Rabbit. The dancers gracefully alternated between serene stillness and agile movement, delivering an exquisite and enchanting display of traditional Chinese aesthetics that captivated audiences both at home and abroad.
Let us wish for enduring companionship, so that we, though far apart, can share the beauty of the moon together. In the Chinese Zodiac Flashmob, two "Rabbit Fairies" descend upon the mortal world, unexpectedly meeting each other. When they remove their masks, they immediately fall for each other—a romance that will last for eternity. They join hands to spread love and beauty to every corner of the world, embodying the beautiful theme of "fate brings us together, and together we move forward", and conveying the blessings of the Chinese Zodiac Rabbit to people around the world.
A Film Shot in Two Cities to Bring Distinctive Chinese Culture to Modern Europe
This year's Chinese Zodiac Flashmob came to two iconic European cities: Brussels of Belgium and Athens of Greece. Known as the heart of Europe, Brussels is home to the European Union headquarters and a wealth of global cultural heritage, while Athens is the cradle of Western culture, boasting a rich history and profound cultural heritage just like China.
Two "Rabbit Fairies", dressed in traditional Chinese Han costume, gracefully traversed the landmark structures of the two European cities, creating an opportunity for the encounter between the East and the West, the past and the present, and modernity and tradition. They offered a unique perspective on Chinese culture in Europe. Amid the Chinese Zodiac Flashmob scenes in Brussels and Athens, the local people stopped to capture the moment by their cameras, and marveled at the charms of the Chinese culture.
Innovative Fusion of Reality and Artistry to Illuminate European Landmarks with Chinese-style Hand-painting
The 2023 Chinese Zodiac Flashmob film "Nice 兔 MEET U" unfolds through the perspective of the Chinese Zodiac Rabbit. It creatively integrates Chinese-style hand-painted colorful rabbit elements and Dunhuang artistic elements onto the iconic buildings in two European cities. This clever fusion of onsite film shooting with hand-painted animation introduces the Chinese Zodiac Rabbit character into European cultural landmarks in a fresh and visually impressive manner, pioneering an innovative expression for the Chinese Zodiac Flashmob.
Exploring the World of Tea for a Vivid Showcase of China's Enchanting Culture
This year's Chinese Zodiac Flashmob performance made a remarkable appearance at the "Tea for Harmony"—Yaji Cultural Salon in Brussels and Athens. "Tea for Harmony"—Yaji Cultural Salon is a signature cultural project jointly presented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and other collaborators. It seamlessly blends a diverse array of cultural activities, including tea appreciation, art exhibitions, flower and incense appreciation, and musical performances. These activities highlight the values deeply ingrained in Chinese culture, such as cherishing harmony and elegance, fostering friendships rooted in shared beliefs and like-mindedness, and embracing the unity of man and nature. The captivating performances by the Zodiac Rabbit flashmob dancers at the "Tea for Harmony"—Yaji Cultural Salon events in the two cities earned them continuous applause and admiration from the audiences. The harmonious fusion of the Chinese Zodiac with tea culture showcases the appeal of China's rich traditional heritage.
The Jade Rabbit of the Mid-Autumn Festival Delights Audience Along with Cultural Activities at the Premiere
The premiere featured a Zodiac Rabbit flashmob dance, an exhibition of award-winning designs from the "Global Zodiac Design Competition (Guimao Year of the Rabbit)", a stamp collection activity featuring the winning designs, and an immersive experience in traditional Chinese painting with a Mid-Autumn theme. These diverse cultural activities delivered a delightful and enriching Mid-Autumn cultural celebration with the theme of the Chinese Zodiac Rabbit.
