Written by: Mahnoor Fatima
Posted on: June 20, 2019 | 
| 中文
The Goddess of Heaven Scatters Flowers
The Musical, Dance and Cultural Show and Wuhan Tourism Promotional Event took place at the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) on Tuesday, 18th June and Wednesday, 19th June. The event was inaugurated by the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China H.E. Mr. Yao Jing and the Minister of State for Information, Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan. The event was hosted by the China Cultural Center in Pakistan as a part of the China Tourism and Cultural Week 2019. Most notably, the event focused on songs, dances and other art forms, as a way to entertain and educate the people of Pakistan on the diversity of Chinese culture.
The event kicked off with a presentation on Wuhan’s many attractions which could appeal to Pakistani tourists, such as the city’s natural beauty and modern infrastructure. Situated in the populous Hubei province, Wuhan is an emerging megacity set on the banks of the Yangtze river. As explained by Mr. Liu Qingping, tourism in Wuhan presents Pakistanis with a unique opportunity to experience a hitherto unknown and exciting facet within the diverse land of China. The artists and performers of the evening were exclusively from Wuhan, and showcased the kind of culture one could experience while travelling through the region.
Following the presentation, a folk music ensemble that played traditional instruments with different sounds, came together to make a beautiful and uniquely Chinese melody. This was an interesting contrast to the performance of the monochord, a singular instrument capable of producing a whole opera on its own using its variety of sounds. There were also excerpts from Chinese operas such as ‘The Goddess of Heaven Scatters Flowers’ and ‘Flower Wall Rendezvous,’ which are well known and beloved pieces from the region. The Chinese host for the evening, Mr. Dong Yanfeng surprised the audience by singing and acting alongside performer Ms. Liu Ying, for one of the final musical acts.
Within dance performances, Chinese culture was depicted in all its manifestations, whether by narrating ancient folklore through puppetry or expressing desire through a contemporary interpretive dance. What tied these dances together were stories of love and community, and a sense of pride in the Chinese language, which the dancers wanted to share with the Pakistani audience.
Besides the song and dance, there were other art forms wherein artists from Wuhan could display their skills. Ms. Zhu Weili’s magic tricks tantalized the audience as she effortlessly performed a sleight of hand with a cheeky grin. Along with that, Mr. Sun Zhongjiang’s wonderfully entertaining impressions of various animals and machines, made the children in the audience roar with laughter and applause.
There were also performances by PNCA’s own dance troupe of the Pashtun Khattak Dance and the Punjabi Bhangra, which complemented the Chinese performances using bright colours and the spirit of celebration. However, despite the difference in language and aesthetics, both types of art forms received warm applause from the audience members, making it a truly enjoyable evening.
Representatives of both governments emphasized the importance of tourism opportunities in deepening the alliance between Pakistan and China. Alongside new tourism policies, Mr. Yao Jing highlighted how events such as these are important for the people-to-people connectivity between the two nations, which not only share many similarities but also have a long-established friendship. Dr. Awan further emphasized the need to convert the sentiment of camaraderie into a mutual cultural exchange.
Such events bring together the excitement of tourism with the reverence and enjoyment of culture and art, making it a pleasurable experience for everyone who attends. It is vital to continue showcasing such performances, so that both Pakistanis and Chinese come to have a better understanding of their shared love for their culture and heritage.
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