A group of women from Jiashan county in Jiaxing performed a ballet dance at the gala. With an average age of about 50 years old, the women displayed confidence and beauty throughout their elegant show. "Ballet has been my dream since childhood, but it couldn't be realized due to my identity as a countryside girl," said Fei Xiawen, a member of the group. The newly-built cultural hall in her village has been a stage for Fei to showcase her deep love of the art.

Women give a ballet performance at the gala held in Hangzhou on Jan 20. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

A troupe from Kuche county of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region delighted the audience with their exotic dances and songs. In addition to their own performance, a tea picking dance was also performed as a collaboration of Xinjiang performers and villagers from Ningbo. The city of Ningbo helped to build the first cultural hall in Kuche, which has promoted a friendship between the two regions.

The gala drew the cheers and applause from nearly a thousand villagers. One villager told reporters, "We find health and happiness through such cultural activities."

People enjoy the performances at the Spring Festival gala on Jan 20. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]