A Wenzhou-themed show is staged before the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games. [Photo/WeChat account: wenzhoufabu]
The 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou commenced with a spectacular opening ceremony on Sept 23 that captivated audiences worldwide. Prior to the official opening, a four-minute show put the rich history and rapid development of Wenzhou at center stage.
The show began with a melodic Wenzhou Opera performance and then seamlessly integrated elements like Wenzhou's iconic dragon boat, traditional dances, and dragon dances.
"I'm truly overwhelmed with emotion right now," said Wang Peng, the director, while watching the show. "Our team dedicated over two months of hard work for this moment, and the performance was a big success."
The show was the fruit of the collaborative efforts of numerous top-tier artists and experts from Wenzhou. For example, Cai Liwen, renowned for her work as a choreographer during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, played a role in the initial planning, while Zou Yuefei, chairman of the Wenzhou Musicians' Association, took part in the musical composition.
The exquisite calligraphy on the dragon boat was crafted by Chen Zhongkang, a celebrated local artist and the dean of the calligraphy department at the China Academy of Art. The flags used in the performance, embroidered with intricate designs, were the handiwork of Shi Chengquan, a master of Wenzhou Embroidery.
