The winter edition of the live-action historical dance drama, "The Song of Everlasting Sorrow," was staged on Sunday in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, offering audience a captivating visual feast and immersing them in the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
Based on the epic poem by renowned Chinese poet Bai Juyi (772-846), the performance vividly recounts the romantic tale of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty and his beloved concubine Yang Yuhuan.
Staged within the city's cultural landmark Huaqing Palace, a former winter resort for emperors in the Tang Dynasty located at the foot of the Lishan Mountain, the performance captivated over 3,000 spectators with its stunning visual effects.
This year's version saw innovative enhancements to the costumes, props, and sound design, with a particular focus on heightening the icy and snowy effects on stage. Combined with the illumination of the Huaqing Palace complex, the historical drama presented a visually stunning winter wonderland that transported the audience back to the glorious Tang era.
"The performance was very impressive. It was my first time to come to Xi'an to feel the culture of the Tang Dynasty, and it was wonderful to see the flourishing era of the Tang Dynasty come alive before my eyes," said a tourist from north China's Hebei Province.
"Judging from the choreography to the stage arrangement, the choice of costumes and songs, and the color matching, it was a very thoughtful performance," said another tourist from central China's Henan Province.
Since its debut in the winter of 2021, the winter version of "The Song of Everlasting Sorrow" has welcomed over 840,000 visits to Xi'an, seamlessly blending historical storytelling, stage artistry, and modern technology.
The 2024 edition is scheduled to run until February 28, 2025.
Xi'an, a city with over 3,100 years of history, served as the capital for 13 dynasties for more than 1,100 years. It is also home to the world-renowned Terracotta warriors created in the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC).
Stunning Tang Dynasty dance captivates audience in historic Xi'an city
Stunning Tang Dynasty dance captivates audience in historic Xi'an city
Stunning Tang Dynasty dance captivates audience in historic Xi'an city
Chinese envoy on Wednesday expressed support for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC) to continue fulfilling its mandate, advancing the Colombian-led and Colombian-owned peace process, and providing vital assistance to Colombia in achieving peace and development.
Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, made the statement when speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on the Colombian situation at the UN headquarter.
UN secretary-general's special representative for Colombia and head of the UNVMC Carlos Ruiz Massieu said that Colombia had achieved some milestones as it celebrated the eighth anniversary of a landmark peace deal. However, violent incidents earlier this year resulted in dozens of deaths. He emphasized the need for Colombia to strengthen the government's presence in remote areas, as the peace agreement remains central to achieving lasting peace in the country. He called on the international community to continue its unwavering support for this process.
Geng expressed hope that in the new year, all parties in Colombia will remain steadfast, united, and committed to writing new chapters of peace, reconciliation, and progress. Geng put forward three key expectations: achieving new progress in improving the security situation, advancing dialogue and reconciliation, and making new achievements in implementing the peace agreement.
"We support the Colombian government's efforts to increase security deployment to effectively deter violent activities, stabilize the situation as quickly as possible, ensure the safety of people's lives, alleviate the local humanitarian crisis, and strengthen protection for former armed personnel, ethnic groups and vulnerable groups such as women and children," said Geng.
Geng noted that the current peace talks between the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) have encountered setbacks. China hopes that both sides will resolve their differences through dialogue and resume negotiations at an early date, and expects that the Colombian government's peace talks with other armed groups will remain unaffected, he said.
China commends the Colombian government, under the leadership of President Gustavo Petro, for prioritizing the implementation of the peace agreement in its governance agenda and for its efforts in areas such as rural reform and the reintegration of former armed personnel into society, Geng said.
China also calls on UN agencies, as well as international and regional partners, to continue supporting Colombia in consolidating the achievements of the peace process, he said.
Recently, armed clashes have continued between Colombia's main anti-government armed group, the ELN, and former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in the Catatumbo region, northern Colombia.
According to data from the Colombian Ombudsman's Office, the conflict has displaced 36,000 people. Petro on Monday declared a state of internal commotion.
FARC, once Colombia's largest anti-government armed group, signed a peace agreement with the government in 2016, disarmed the following year, and transitioned into a political party.
However, some FARC members refused to disarm and formed splinter groups. The ELN primarily engages in drug trafficking and other criminal activities along Colombia's Pacific coast and border regions. On Friday, the Colombian government announced the suspension of peace talks with the ELN once again.
China reaffirms support for Colombia's peace process
China reaffirms support for Colombia's peace process
