On April 25, the original dance drama Wing Chun, crafted with great effort from Shenzhen, China, premiered at the Moscow Bolshoi Theatre, marking the beginning of its tour in Russia. The dance drama will be performed at the historic Bolshoi Theatre from April 25 to 26, and at the globally renowned Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg from April 30 to May 1, with a total of six performances. This is the first Chinese original dance drama team to perform in Russia’s “Double First-Class” artistic venues, and it serves as a landmark event in cultural exchange between China and Russia, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Wing Chun is a tribute to the heroism of ordinary people, drawing inspiration from Lingnan’s traditional martial arts culture, with “Wing Chun Kung Fu” as its core artistic language. Through a blend of dance, martial arts, and cinematic storytelling, it narrates the spiritual journey of Chinese kung fu as it reaches out to the world. The performance is divided into six chapters, lasting approximately two hours, centered around “Master Ye” and his martial arts experiences in Hong Kong. It showcases his perseverance in maintaining beliefs, breaking barriers, and passing on traditions, reflecting the essence of Chinese culture that values martial prowess and moral integrity.
Kung fu is a hallmark of traditional Chinese culture, and Wing Chun, originating in Lingnan, is one of the earliest forms of Chinese kung fu to gain international recognition. The drama, with the spiritual core centered on Bruce Lee’s mentor, Yip Man, uses “light” as a medium to tell the story of a group of filmmakers chasing light, drawing near to it, and becoming it. It connects the traditional and modern eras, presenting the legendary tales of contemporary heroes alongside the ordinary people behind them. The performance not only showcases the balance of strength and softness in Wing Chun but also incorporates traditional martial arts styles such as Tai Chi, Bajiquan, Praying Mantis, and Bagua Zhang, along with elements of intangible cultural heritage like “gambiered Guangdong gauze”, reflecting the inheritance and innovation of Chinese culture.
“I have never seen such a unique dance performance, which is both rhythmic and philosophical, and the chemistry between the performers deeply moved me,” said Anna Kololenko, a cultural critic in Moscow, after the show. “This work has sparked a strong interest in Chinese culture for me; Wing Chun is not just a martial art, but a spiritual force.”
This tour in Russia marks the fourth overseas performance of Wing Chun, following successful shows in Singapore, the UK, and France. In London, the drama had a 12-performance run at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, receiving unanimous acclaim from audiences and industry professionals. The performance at the Palais des Congrès de Paris was also widely popular, with highly consistent praise from critics. Its appearance in Russia’s “Double First-Class” artistic venues signifies a continued enhancement of its international influence and showcases the competitiveness of Shenzhen’s original artistic creations on the global stage.
“I originally knew little about traditional Chinese kung fu, but the dance drama Wing Chun made me deeply realize that martial arts can be powerful yet also possess such beauty and grace,” said Alexey Ivanov, a student at Moscow State University. “This work made me truly want to explore Chinese culture for the first time.”
Using the universally recognized art form of dance, Wing Chun tells Chinese stories to the Russian audience. Young dancers from the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre showcase Shenzhen’s artistic strength and the vibrant charm of traditional Chinese culture through their balanced and spirited performances. The cultural exchanges between China and Russia have a long history, with Russia’s rich cultural heritage excelling in literature, music, and dance, complementing the depth and innovative integration of Chinese culture.
The Wing Chun dance drama begins this journey in Russia, serving as a bridge of art and a medium of dance to build connections and understanding between the peoples of China and Russia. Like a cultural “seed” from Lingnan in China, it is carefully sown into the fertile cultural soil of Russia, carrying Shenzhen’s mission to promote Chinese culture globally, and heralding brighter blooms of mutual civilization appreciation in the context of the new era.
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