Feast of culture | China Antiques

CHINESE culture is set to be showcased in Bahrain during a major arts and entertainment festival starting next week.

The week-long event, which will include exhibitions, music, dance and martial arts performances, aims to promote friendship and cultural co-operation between both countries.

It is taking place as part of the Spring of Culture festival and an opening ceremony will take place at the Arts Centre, next to Bahrain National Museum, on March 25 at 7pm.

Hosted by the Chinese Embassy, the event will also mark the opening of the Chinese Embroidery Masterpieces exhibition.

Embroidery is a time-honoured traditional art of China and the exhibition will showcase one of the four major Chinese embroidery styles called Suzhou.

This type of embroidery is unique with its intricate patterns, harmonious colours, stitching and exquisite craftsmanship.

Entrance is free and open to the public from March 26 to 31 and the Arts Centre is open from 8am to 1pm and 4pm to 8pm daily.

The first professional folk dance troupe in China will perform on the night of the opening ceremony at the Cultural Hall at 8pm.

Shows by the Little White Egret dance group feature the exotic dance art of Chinese ethnical minority groups and characterised by the unique Minnan (South Fujian) culture.

It has won great fame and been honoured at national and international level competitions and performances.

Entry is free, but seating is limited and the minimum age is eight years old.

Chinese folk songs, dance and music will come to life in a performance by a Muslim Chinese performing arts group at the Cultural Hall on March 26 at 8pm.

The Xinjiang Folk Song, Dance and Music Ensemble will be performed by the Xinjiang Art troupe, a group which has explored, innovated and performed a large number of Xinjiang dance and music programmes consisting of both Muslim characteristics and the spirit of the modern times.

The Chinese Art Festival will finish with two performances of the famous Chinese martial art form Kung Fu on March 28 and 29.

The Cultural and Theatre Chan Shaolin Temple Group will show off its skills at the Cultural Hall at 8pm on both nights.

Established in 1998, it has performed shows around the world and succeeded in spreading Shaolin Kung Fu culture outside China.

The teaching principle of the group is to mix various styles of Kung Fu, Wushu, Chan Buddhism (known as Zen) and Shaolin Kung Fu in a harmonious way.

Its members are masters of traditional Chinese medicine, making them the most prominent figures representing the classical Shaolin Temple disciples to be called the Temple?s Most Precious Treasure.

Entry is free but seating is limited and the minimum age is eight years.

The Chinese Art Festival is being supported by the Chinese and Bahraini Culture Ministries, the Chinese Embassy and the Arab League secretariat.
The events are being held as part of the celebrations for Manama being named Arab Capital of Culture 2012.
For more information and tickets visit www.springofculture.org.
alicia@gdn.com.bh

Source: http://www.chinaantiques.com/china-antiques/2012/03/18/feast-of-culture/

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