Artists from Ningbo, Zhejiang perform in Zagreb, Croatia on Jan 24. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Invited by China's Ministry of Culture and the Ningbo government, a group of Ningbo artists conducted a performance tour visiting Croatia, the Czech Republic, Thailand and the UK from Jan 22 to 30.

As part of the 2017 "Happy Chinese New Year" events initiated by the Ministry of Culture, the tour featured performances of Chinese operas, musical instruments and traditional customs. The historic Ningbo culture also impressed the overseas audience, drawing cheers and applause from the four countries.

Zou Jianhong, head of the art troupe, expressed his belief that foreign audiences have an increasingly strong interest in traditional Chinese culture, and they appreciate opera performances with exotic clothes, music and stories.

A Yue Opera performance of "Mu Guiying Takes Command" was performed for senior citizens at a local nursing home in Croatia. The exquisite clothes and makeup of the performers, as well as the singing and postures, was warmly received.  

A variety of dance performances were also presented during the tour. Liangzhu (Butterfly Lovers), a romantic love story akin to Romeo and Juliet, was staged by two dancers. There was also a dance performance showcasing centuries-old wedding customs of Zhejiang. Ningbo's Tianyi Pavilion, Asia's most ancient pavilion for book collections, was revealed to the world in men's group dance.

Considering audiences in Thailand may not know much about Chinese culture, a dance performance based on the local religious culture was specially arranged. Sanskrit music and bell tolls from the temple were combined with beautiful dance moves.