Tumbling into China

More than 60 students from around the world learn traditional Chinese acrobatics at Beijing International Arts School. Photos by Zou Hong / China Daily

Young students have to fight with the pain of training and the pain of being away from home. Photos by Zou Hong / China Daily

"Whether you are fighting with yourself about the pain of training, or the pain of missing home, or the pain of longing for your dream to finally arrive, it makes you stronger every day and I am so happy to have had this experience."

Like many old art forms, acrobatics is not as popular in China as it used to be. So retired Peking Opera singer and BIAS teacher Zhang Guangyun is impressed by the hardworking and passionate foreign students.

"They are not only faced with physical challenges but also the extreme mental challenge of being far away from home," Zhang says.

"They inspire us, as they add modern dance and electronic elements to the traditional Chinese acrobatic art forms."

Julius Bitterling, who is from a mountainous village in Berchtesgaden, Germany, and attended a circus school in France, studied in Beijing at the suggestion of his handstand teacher, who is Chinese.

"She convinced me to continue my circus career in China, so I went to Beijing, not only for the circus but also to learn about a new country," says the 21-year-old, who studies handstands, gymnastics and partner acrobatics at BIAS. Originally, his plan was to go to university to study physics and circus tricks were just a hobby.

Liu Yong, a veteran China National Acrobatic Troupe member who teaches at BIAS, says China’s acrobatic shows have won lots of international awards and have a great reputation, which is why more international students choose to study in China.

"Acrobatic shows focus more on skill in China, while, in the West, the shows are more like dramas or plays," Liu says. "The communication of different cultures does help the art form’s progress."

Ten Cambodian students, ranging in age from 12-23, are also keen to learn as much as they can before returning to their country as professional acrobats.

Chen Chantha, 23, who has been studying acrobatics since he was 7, will study at BIAS for nearly two years.

"We get up at 6 am and have handstand and martial arts classes that comprehensively help us become professional acrobatics," he explains.

He adds that the demand for acrobatic shows is growing in Cambodia and he wants to learn from the best in China.

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn.