STORY: Major ethnic epics performed at int'l cultural tourism festival in China's Xinjiang
DATELINE: July 16, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:21
LOCATION: URUMQI, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of performances
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): ADILI JUMETURDI, Researcher, Institute of Ethnic Literature, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Kyrgrz): ALMAZ MURATBEKOV, Staff member, Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of Kyrgyzstan

STORYLINE:

The ninth Manas International Cultural Tourism Festival concluded on Sunday in Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The Kirgiz ethnic epic "Manas," "Epic of King Gesar," which is hailed as "the Homeric epics of the East," and "Jangar," a heroic epic of the Mongolian ethnic group, were performed on the stage.

The three epics, all designated as national intangible cultural heritages, are viewed as equally important cultural works of ethnic minority groups.

Performers sang songs lauding heroic feats in folklore and performed dancing of various styles. More than 10,000 audiences viewed the cultural feast on site.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): ADILI JUMETURDI, Researcher, Institute of Ethnic Literature, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
"'Manas' has indeed been spread orally among people of the Kirgiz ethnic group for more than 1,000 years. This great epic contains the spirits of philosophy, aesthetics, ethics, unity, respect for the old and love for the young, patriotism, love for the common people, solidarity and mutual assistance. They are some excellent traditions of the Chinese nation. These elements are in fact contained in the epic 'Manas.' Now it has been compiled into a text, and published and translated. It is becoming a classic. The Belt and Road Initiative is in a very critical period. While epic 'Manas' has been spread in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and other regions, it can play a very important role in cultural exchanges and mutual learning of civilizations among the Belt and Road countries."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Kyrgrz): ALMAZ MURATBEKOV, Staff member, Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of Kyrgyzstan
"We have seen people of China's Kirgiz ethnic group wearing white felt hats, singing and praising the epic 'Manas.' Children learn to sing 'Manas' from an early age, and inherit and protect 'Manas.' We will tell people about these situations when we return. We hope that the strategic cooperation and friendship between the two countries will flourish. We will jointly inherit, protect and develop the epic of 'Manas.'"

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