Ballet goes folk

"Ballet and Miao dances are totally different dance languages, in terms of techniques and poses. Dancers have to make changes during their performances, which isn't easy," says Fei.

For example, in several scenes, bamboo dancing, a traditional activity to mark Miao celebrations, is performed by ballet dancers, who jump while dancing on their pointe shoes.

The performance also incorporates intangible cultural heritage in the form of Miao embroidery, which is used in products sold to lift people out of poverty.

National Ballet of China's president Feng Ying says poverty alleviation not only means helping people to enjoy better living conditions but also is about living lives full of hope and passion.

"We've performed in remote villages throughout China, and we've seen how people work hard to change their situations. The country will achieve xiaokang, or a moderately prosperous society in all respects, by the end of 2020. The new piece comes at the right time," she says.

"We've been trying to create original ballet pieces that are fused with Chinese stories and traditions, such as The Red Detachment of Women, Raise the Red Lantern and Dunhuang. This is the first time that the company has debuted a work centered on the Miao ethnic group, which is exciting."