Nanjing will host The Australian Ballet this coming August, in which dancers represent not only the strong ties the two countries hold, but also the nigh on 40-year history of ballet relations between China and Australia.
The story of a Chinese boy who left for Australia, following his dream to be a principal ballet dancer, begins in the city of Xuzhou, northern Jiangsu. “My parents haven’t seen me perform since I left China”, Xu Yipeng said, speaking with state media agency Xinhua. “I’m so happy to be performing on the stage of my motherland, where my parents will be watching.
“My mother will be with me from beginning to end, and my father may watch me perform in either Shanghai or Nanjing”, Xu said, referring to his China performances which will have him touring the country with The Australian Ballet in October of 2018.
Thin and in poor health, Xu’s father hoped his connection to Chinese professional dance circles could help help his son improve his physical exercise. At 11-years old Xu enrolled at China’s prestigious Beijing Dance Academy, after which his training eventually brought him to Australia.
The Australian dance outfit will tour China in October, 2018, visiting Beijing, Nanjing and Shanghai. The tour will be the company’s 9th visit to China since the company’s first in 1980.
Artistic Director of the Australian Ballet, David McAllister, will bring the group to China, 38 years after its first visit. “The China tour once again presents opportunities to showcase the Australian Ballet’s position as a great cultural ambassador for Australia, highlighting the world class skill and talent of their artists and productions and many cultural exchanges that have been initiated as a result of the company’s long association with China”, he said.
Legendary ballerina and veteran ballet administrator, Maina Gielgud, who was the artistic director of the Australian Ballet from 1983 until 1996, will wow Nanjing audiences with her “enduring romance” Giselle, said to be one of the most popular dances taken overseas.
Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy Australia, Yang Zhi, said, “The Australian Ballet is just like a bridge, connecting China and Australia in the past decades”. For Australia’s strong relationships do indeed diplomatically cross cultural ties with the arts and sports, as well as politics.
