STORY: Young Yingge dancer's love for traditional folk art
DATELINE: June 10, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:19
LOCATION: GUANGZHOU, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Yingge dance
2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): YAO JIAXUAN, Yingge dancer

STORYLINE:

The Yingge dance, or dance to "hero's song," is a popular folk art form in Chaozhou and Shantou of south China's Guangdong Province.

Combining opera, dance, and martial arts, it originated from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and is often performed during traditional Chinese festivals.

Once performed only by men, the dance is now embracing more women performers.

Yao Jiaxuan is one of them.

As a young performer, she hopes to pass on the culture to more people.

SOUNDBITE (Chinese): YAO JIAXUAN, Yingge dancer
"The first time I saw Yingge dance performance, I was thrilled and stunned by its magnificence.
When I performed Yingge dance for the first time, I was so nervous. But after I finished, I felt a bit excited. When I heard the audience's applause, I felt proud. I feel happy to let more people see the culture of Yingge dance of Chaozhou and Shantou regions. I'll keep dancing and teach more girls how to dance. I hope more people will fall in love with it."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Guangzhou, China.
(XHTV)