Diverse Chinese performances light up Helsinki Festival

A Finnish artist performed Peking Opera the Last Warrior in Finland National Theater. [Photo/Culturalink.gov.cn]

Sponsored by Center of International Culture Exchange in the Chinese Ministry of Culture, China Central Academy Of Fine Arts and Tongji University, a two-month exhibition on the theme of Chinese design kicked off in Helsinki Design Museum during the festival. Only one week after its debut, more than 5, 000 visitors went to see the exhibition.

Chinese post-90s generation also showed their individual character through a special show named "25 X 25 — Close Encounter" during the festival. 12 Chinese artists under or around 25 years old offered a 25 hours non-stop comprehensive art show with installations, films, photography, new media, theatre, dance, music, food and drink in Cable Factory, the art and culture centre in Helsinki.

In addition, concerts by the Chinese Central Conservatory of Music and other philharmonic societies from China, Kunqu opera Legend of White Snake by Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre of China, acrobat show Zodiac Legend by Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe, contemporary dance shows by Tao Dance Theater group and other Chinese performances came to stage in succession in Helsinki. It offered a chance for the locals and tourists to encounter the richness of Chinese performing arts.

Meanwhile, the festival paid attention to Chinese folk arts and intangible cultural heritages. On the Asian Saturday (August 22), the Helsinki tai chi and kung fu clubs made presentations and conducted workshops on body and mind control in accordance with Chinese traditions in Kansalaistori Square. Tea rooms around the square served Chinese tea and introduced visitors to the culture of Chinese tea.

Finnish people were also fond of Chinese cultural activities such as the kite festival and night market of Chinese food. Just like what Tarja Kangaskorte, deputy head at Finish embassy in Beijing, said before the project, "this is the window for us to learn about China in a comprehensive way".