At the just concluded 11th “NTD World Chinese Classical Dance Competition”, dozens of top Chinese classical dance performers presented unforgettable dance art to the judges and audience. The competition judges expressed that they were often moved and impressed by the stories of the performers, finding it difficult to judge as each performer was so outstanding that it was challenging to differentiate. Therefore, the judges encouraged everyone by saying that each participant was already excellent, and simply participating made them a winner.
Renowned Chinese classical dance artist and one of the competition judges, Li Baoyuan, mentioned that the overall level of this year’s competition was exceptionally high, with all participants excelling in technical movements. He was deeply moved by their performances. According to him, the difficulty level has been increasing each year, and this time, all participants demonstrated exceptional skills in jumps, spins, and flips, executing more challenging techniques such as combining flips with additional spins, thus elevating the level of difficulty.
Li Baoyuan highlighted that the performers’ exceptional skills enabled them to clearly convey the narratives of their works. One particular piece depicted the story of two sisters who bravely stood by their faith despite facing oppression in China. “Their story of courage in the face of adversity truly moved me. Even as a judge, watching these performances evokes strong emotions in me,” he expressed.
Another judge and seasoned dancer, Wang Chen, remarked that this year’s participants showed significant progress in both technical aspects and artistic expression. She emphasized the creativity and realism displayed by the performers in embodying characters and themes drawn from traditional Chinese moral values, providing the audience with a unique and touching experience.
Both judges agreed that this year’s participants made significant strides in mastering the pinnacle of dance art – the technique of “body leading arms, hips leading legs,” a key element that resonated with the audience and contributed to the emotional impact of their performances.
Li Baoyuan emphasized the importance of emotional expression and communication in Chinese classical dance, noting that the mastery of “body leading arms, hips leading legs” enhances the clarity of movements, enabling performers to effectively convey their intended messages to the audience, resulting in deeply moving and original performances.
Wang Chen concurred, praising the substantial progress made by participants from various countries in understanding and implementing the technical intricacies of “body leading arms, hips leading legs,” acknowledging their outstanding achievements and the difficulty in judging due to each participant’s unique strengths in technical skills, artistry, and storytelling ability.
Both judges believed that the profound themes rooted in traditional Chinese culture conveyed through the participants’ works were a significant factor in captivating the audience. They emphasized that the universal values embedded in Chinese traditional culture, such as loyalty, bravery, and faith, resonate with people worldwide, underscoring the importance of recognizing and learning from these cultural values to imbue performances with inherent virtues.
Li Baoyuan concluded by expressing his admiration for the performers, acknowledging them as among the world’s best, showcasing their dedication to continuous improvement and the essence of artistic progression that defines the competition’s significance.
Encouraging participants to challenge their limits and perpetuate the essence of traditional Chinese culture, Li Baoyuan highlighted the importance of high standards and self-improvement, fostering a culture of continuous growth and excellence among the younger generation in society.
Wang Chen echoed these sentiments, urging participants to surpass themselves and uphold the values of traditional Chinese culture. She emphasized the privilege of using body language to express the beauty of Chinese traditional culture on stage, underscoring the opportunity to contribute to its legacy and dissemination through dance performances.