China's Xinjiang cultural week delegation has successfully
concluded its weeklong performance in Sweden last Friday and is
heading for Norway.
Head of the delegation Li Yi who is also vice chairman of the
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region said that the purpose of the tour
is to promote Xinjiang and let the world know more about
Xinjiang.
"Xinjiang is a place with rich resources. It not only has a lot
of oil and natural gas, but also a lot of cotton and tomatoes. Its
production of tomato sauce accounts for 70 percent?of the
European market. "
Li Yi said Xinjiang is also rich in culture.
" Singing and dancing is part of the people's life. Xinjiang
people can sing and dance as soon as they can speak and walk," said
Li Yi.
Paul Lindquist, Mayor of Lidingo said he felt very honored that
Lidingo had been chosen for the performance. "This is another
example of long term friendly relations between Sweden and
China."
Xinjiang cultural week
artists' performance outside the city house
During the week, the Xinjiang delegation mainly including the
artists from Xinjiang Song and Dance Company gave wonderful
performances in Eskilstuna city, west of Stockholm, Stockholm and
Lidingo city.
The programs they performed included Uyghur Folk Dance
Kashgar Senem, Girls in Turpan, Group Girl Dance
Carrying Bowls on the Head, Girls in Dabancheng,
Wonderful Xinjiang and Maixilaif.
Their happy, energetic and spectacular performance won constant
applauses from the audience.
Xinjiang dance-with bowls
on head
Rune Sirvell from SIS Forum was one of the audiences in
Lidingo.
"I have been to China several times, but this was the first time
that I have watched such kind of performance. It is wonderful,
really nice."
The Xinjiang Song and Dance Company was established in 1949 and
composed of artists from 12 ethnic groups of China including Uygur,
Kazak, Han, Hui, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Tatar, Manchurian, Mongolian and
Xibo.
The troupe not only won a lot of prizes in China but also
traveled and performed in more than 70 countries and regions in the
world.
Located in northwest China and with over 20 million people of
various ethnic groups, Xinjiang was an important hub for the
ancient Silk Road in the old days and is still a passageway of
information and commerce linking China with Central west Asia and
Europe.
Presented in the Xinjiang Cultural Week are the songs and dances
of cultural civilization of Xinjiang ethnic minorities, photographs
of Xinjiang today, calligraphy, paintings, costumes, handicrafts
and musical instruments reflecting the daily lives of Xinjiang
people, according to Li Yi.
The Xinjiang cultural week delegation will stay in Norway for a
week and then give performance in Germany for a week.
(People's Daily Online September 17, 2007)
