Source: CCTV.com

03-10-2009 08:29

It's said the Tibet Autonomous Region has hundreds of festivals. These traditions are an excellent way to experience the authentic folk and religious culture. The Song and Dance Troupe of the Tibet Autonomous Region have brought the highlights of some major festivals to Beijing.

The Song and Dance Troupe of the Tibet Autonomous Region have  brought the highlights of some major festivals to Beijing.

In the span of eighty minutes, we see five of the most popular festivals. The Shoton Festival, or the Yogurt Festival, where traditional Tibetan opera is performed; the Horse-Racing Festival; the Wangkor Festival or the Fruit-Awaiting Festival, a prayer before harvest; and the Cham Dance Festival, which marks typical religious activities and the traditional Tibetan New Year, or Losar, the region's most important holiday.

Danzeng Gongbu, head of Tibet Aut. Region Song and Dance Troupe said, "The performance was created in 2006. At the same year, we staged it in some mid and eastern European countries. It has won great applause abroad. From the costumes to the performance, you can see that our folk culture is being protected well. Every year, the central government gives us 10 million yuan. Of all local troupes, that's the best and biggest support from the central government."

The Song and Dance Troupe of the Tibet Autonomous Region was founded in July, 1958. It's the first professional song and dance troupe in the region.

The Song and Dance Troupe of the Tibet Autonomous Region was founded in July, 1958. It's the first professional song and dance troupe in the region.

The sixth generations of singers and dancers is now performing. The troupe presents the rich folk culture to audiences across China and more than 60 countries and regions around the world.

Saturday night's performance at China's Theatre was the finale to the cultural week celebrating the 50th anniversary of democratic reform which abolished feudal serfdom in Tibet.

Editor:Zhao Yanchen