On November 3, the BDA Dance Forum (2024) Parallel Forum: "Global Vision Chinese Expression" sub-forum hosted by Beijing Dance Academy and hosted by Beijing Dance Academy Youth Dance Company was held in Beijing. From a global perspective, the forum deeply discussed the internal l

On November 3, the bda Dance Forum (2024) parallel forum: "Global Vision Chinese Expression" sub-forum was held in Beijing, hosted by Beijing Dance Academy and hosted by Beijing Dance Academy Youth Dance Company. From a global perspective, the forum deeply discussed the internal logic and universal laws of the international development of dance companies. At the forum, the guests focused on the key issues, obstacles and development bottlenecks faced by dance companies around the world, and conducted in-depth exchanges on the opportunities and challenges faced by domestic and foreign dance companies.

Xu Rui, President of Beijing Dance Academy

The key to international cooperation is respect and integration.

International cooperation has become the focus of many guests at the forum. "Today's world is more closely connected. We are developing very close and future-oriented cooperative relationships with other countries around the world. Today's dancers may have a broader vision and their stage will be broader." Beijing Dance Academy Dean Xu Rui said that the process of internationalization of Beijing Dance Academy includes the practice of stage art and the establishment of closer ties with international dance companies and institutions. At the same time, with the help of technology, dance has ushered in huge opportunities and challenges for development. "In the new era of image communication and visual narrative, as a very representative visual dance style of stage art, the influence of dance and communication are unprecedented. Under such a new challenge and new situation, it becomes more practical for us to conduct in-depth discussions around dance companies and dancers. ”

Farooq Chaudhry, artistic director of the British Aku Khan Dance Company

Farooq Chaudhry, artistic director of the British Wind Chime Culture International Production Company and artistic director of the Aku Khan Dance Company, believes that respect and integration is the key to cross-cultural cooperation. In 2015, he received an email from the producer of the famous Chinese dancer Yang Liping and was able to participate in the global exhibition plan of her new work "House of Flying Daggers". He went to Kunming to meet Yang Liping and knew that trust is the basis of cooperation. "During the meeting, I was impressed by her elegance, unique vision, strength, curiosity and unremitting efforts in her work culture. The rehearsal scene of "House of Flying Daggers" intertwined multiple art forms into a complex and beautiful picture, and I deeply felt that I was shocked and convinced of the value of cooperation with her.” However, in the early stages of cooperation, Farooq Chowdhury mistakenly imposed Western artistic concepts on her creation, which almost hindered its progress. "Fortunately, I noticed and adjusted my mentality early, and decided to fully integrate into Yang Liping's artistic perspective. This change was crucial. It allowed me to communicate with Yang Liping in a new "language" without compromising the Chinese artistic essence of the work. Under the premise, the necessary elements are integrated into "House of Flying Daggers" "Trust, risk-taking, firm belief, quality," said Farooq Chowdhury, artistic director of Akul Khan Dance Company. Questioning assumptions, being curious, and having fun are important in cross-cultural collaboration, but an even more critical factor is the willingness to let go of our inherent notions of gods. “We must realize that creating art involves both construction and construction. , also involves reconstruction. "

Guido Ricci, Deputy Director-General of the International Ballet Competition Federation

Chinese dance faces many challenges when going global.

Today, Chinese dance also faces many challenges when going global. Guido Ricci, CEO of Italy's Delma International Culture Company and deputy director-general of the International Ballet Competition Federation, has cooperated with Beijing Dance Academy for nearly 30 years. During this period, his company actively promoted the relationship between Beijing Dance Academy and the National Ballet of Rome. Official cooperation and multi-level exchanges between dance academies. "Our business covers art management and the organization of art tours. Public relations is only part of our core activities. In the past 27 years of cooperation, our company has invited bda delegations to Italy and France to perform Chinese classical dance many times, so that Local audiences have the opportunity to come into contact with and understand this unique and charming dance style, and then appreciate Chinese culture and history through it."Guido Ricci said, "The enthusiastic response from the audience and the high attention from critics, especially the strong interest in this previously little-known dance type, proves what we have done in promoting Chinese classical dance. The effort is worth it and validates its appeal and huge potential for success in European countries. The importance of these artistic activities is that we have made history and successfully promoted Chinese classical dance to the European art stage. "

But Guido Ricci also admitted that in the past few years, various reasons have prevented the bda dance troupe and dance troupes from China from touring and cultural activities in Italy. "Since 2008, The economic crisis has been plaguing the West nation. In addition to the fees required by dance companies, there are other cost items, and the total cost of performances by dance companies from China has become unaffordable for many Italian theaters and festivals. Therefore, it is necessary to explore new forms of cooperation and communication to overcome these difficulties and respond to the crises and challenges currently facing our sector. "

In Guido Ricci's view, international cultural cooperation can take on many forms, "We should not let preconceived notions constrain our imagination. Dance companies and agents should give full play to their flexibility, learn to respond to market pressures in a timely manner, and effectively resolve the increasing number of emergencies in the context of instability and uncertainty. A creative and open-minded attitude should be adopted to overcome the difficulties and challenges faced. ”

Actors of Beijing Dance Academy Youth Dance Company Hua Xiaoyi

New opportunities and challenges faced by Chinese dancers from an international perspective

Today, the collision and integration of traditional culture and modern civilization has opened up a broad space for the development of dance art, and also for This generation of Chinese dancers has brought unprecedented opportunities and challenges. How to maintain and promote the uniqueness of Chinese dancers on the international stage, while being open to innovation and coexisting with the world's dance art, has become something that every dance practitioner must think deeply about. Question.

Hua Xiaoyi, a first-level actor in the Youth Dance Company of Beijing Dance Academy, believes that in order for Chinese dancers to shine on the international stage, they need to maintain their own characteristics and actively seek bridges to communicate with international audiences, exploring tradition and modernity, orientalism and The intersection of the West and the West. In her exchanges with foreign dancers, she deeply realized that while maintaining the uniqueness of traditional dance, it is also necessary to explore the modern expression of the traditional body, which is reflected in dance movements, techniques, themes, emotions and Aesthetic and other aspects. The identity of Chinese dancers should not be limited to the imitation or symbolic display of traditional dance forms, but should deeply explore the spiritual core of traditional culture, combine it with contemporary aesthetics and expression methods, and create contemporary and capable works. A work that resonates. “As Chinese dancers in the new era, we shoulder the important responsibility of inheriting traditional culture and are also important messengers of cultural exchanges. Our mission is to have the courage to innovate and make breakthroughs on the basis of respecting and understanding tradition, so as to make the identity of Chinese dancers more distinctive on the international stage. "

Ma Jiaolong, the main actor of the Beijing Dance Academy Youth Dance Company, also believes that the mission of contemporary Chinese dancers lies not only in superb skills and inheritance, but also in innovation and cross-cultural exchanges, "to let the world better understand and identify with China. The unique value of dance, whether it is presented on the international stage or spread with the help of modern technology, we have the obligation and responsibility to promote Chinese dance culture on a global scale. This is also an important mission of the times for our generation of dancers.”

Photo courtesy of Beijing Dance Academy

Text/Beijing Youth Daily reporter Tian Wanting

Editor/Gong Lifang