A master class “Eternal Azure: Shining Mountains and Rivers” was held in Moscow to coincide with the screening of the dance drama “Poetic Dance: Journey of a Legendary Landscape”. The event took place in the context of the Cross Cultural Years of China and Russia (2024-2025) and was part of the programme related to the participation of the China Oriental Performing Arts Group in the XVII Chekhov International Theatre Festival.

The master class was attended by more than 200 people. Among the guests were Feng Litao, Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Russia and Director of the Chinese Cultural Centre in Moscow, Jing Xiaoyong, Head of the dance-poetic drama project, as well as teachers and students of the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS).

The leading performers of the dance drama Zhang Han, Yuan Jiaying, and Xie Suhao spoke about the production’s creation, its cultural context and sources of inspiration. The production is based on the famous Northern Song dynasty (960-1127 AD) masterpiece “One Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains” and combines traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern stage forms. Since its premiere in 2021, the play has been performed more than 700 times in 80 cities.

During the masterclass, the artists demonstrated fragments of the production, revealed the features of the choreography and taught the audience basic dance moves. The participants, including both professional dancers and amateurs of Chinese culture, were able to feel the aesthetics of oriental dance and the rhythmics reflecting the shapes of mountains and waters. GITIS students also presented elements of Russian folk dances, which was a vivid example of cultural dialogue.

After the performance, guests asked the artists questions about the production, dance training and perception of Chinese culture.

Photo: Chinese Cultural Centre in Moscow