Honoring a pioneer of Chinese dance

The gala, A Tribute to the 110th Anniversary of Dai Ailian's Birth, was organized by the National Ballet of China and supported by the Beijing Dance Academy.

Through a program blending Eastern and Western traditions and classical and contemporary styles, the performance traced the evolution of Chinese ballet and dance while paying heartfelt tribute to Dai's lifelong dedication to the arts.

The evening was co-hosted by Huang Doudou, vice-president of the China Dancers Association, and Cao Shuci, a master assistant of the National Ballet of China.

The program opened with Lotus Dance, one of Dai's signature works. Inspired by the traditional Chinese folk art of lotus lantern dancing, the piece embodies elegance and moral integrity through flowing choreography. Performed by faculty members and students from the Beijing Dance Academy, the piece once again showcased the distinctive beauty of Chinese ethnic dance traditions.