Chinese Kung Fu dance drama captivates Romanian audience

Members of the Longyun Martial Arts Group stage a special performance of the Chinese Kung Fu dance drama "11 Warriors" at Bucharest National Opera House in celebration of the International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations in Bucharest, Romania, June 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

A special performance of the Chinese Kung Fu dance drama "11 Warriors" captivated audiences at the Bucharest National Opera House on Saturday evening, in celebration of the International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations.

Co-organized by the Chinese Embassy in Romania, the Bucharest Chinese Cultural Center, and the Romania-China House, the event drew more than 900 attendees, including diplomats, cultural officials, and public figures.

Members of the Longyun Martial Arts Group stage a special performance of the Chinese Kung Fu dance drama "11 Warriors" at Bucharest National Opera House in celebration of the International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations in Bucharest, Romania, June 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

The performance was presented by the Longyun Martial Arts Group, founded by renowned Chinese film star Jackie Chan. Blending martial arts, modern dance, and multimedia, the production traces the evolution of Chinese Kung Fu-from its origins in combat to its philosophical and spiritual depth.

At the conclusion of the show, the audience gave a standing ovation lasting over 10 minutes. "We were overwhelmed," said performer Cao Jialong. "It made us proud to see Chinese culture embraced so warmly on the world stage."

Members of the Longyun Martial Arts Group stage a special performance of the Chinese Kung Fu dance drama "11 Warriors" at Bucharest National Opera House in celebration of the International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations in Bucharest, Romania, June 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Irina Cajal, undersecretary of state at the Romanian Ministry of Culture, hailed the performance as "a shining example of professionalism," calling it "both professional and academic" and "one of the most impressive performances" she had ever seen.

"I'm sure that in the future, collaborations like this will continue," she added. "For years, the cooperation between Romania and China has been strong, and this is a major achievement for both sides."

Members of the Longyun Martial Arts Group stage a special performance of the Chinese Kung Fu dance drama "11 Warriors" at Bucharest National Opera House in celebration of the International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations in Bucharest, Romania, June 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Audience member and martial arts practitioner Maxine Yanscu echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the cultural significance of the art form. "Martial arts represent many of the core values and principles of Chinese culture," she said. "They express that beautifully through movement."