Lhasa City in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region on Tuesday presented a rich tapestry of performances with ethnic features, intangible cultural heritage, and folk traditions as it served as one of the host cities for the Spring Festival Gala.
Hosted by the China Media Group (CMG), the gala this year features four sub-venues in addition to the main stage in Beijing, namely Chongqing Municipality, Lhasa City in Xizang Autonomous Region, Wuhan City in Hubei Province, and Wuxi City in Jiangsu Province.
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Lhasa sub-venue displays ethnic culture with spellbinding performances
Lhasa sub-venue displays ethnic culture with spellbinding performances
Lhasa sub-venue displays ethnic culture with spellbinding performances
Lhasa sub-venue displays ethnic culture with spellbinding performances
Lhasa is a 1,300-year-old ancient city situated on a snow-covered plateau, making it one of the highest cities in the world. The sub-venue's main stage, set up in front of the famous Potala Palace, offered a spectacular backdrop for the cultural showcase.
The performances in Lhasa seamlessly blended intangible cultural heritage with folk traditions, combining both traditional and modern elements. Leading the show was 88-year-old Tibetan soprano Tseten Dolma, who conducted a youth chorus alongside young soprano Baima Tsomo in a stirring rendition of the folk song "Serf, Arisen, Sing in Praise."
Other performances included the song "Eternal Blessings," led by actress Liu Tao and Tibetan singer Tsering Lhamo. Pop singer and dancer Liu Yu joined Tibetan artists in the lively performance of "Tashi Delek," which is a traditional Tibetan greeting.
To conclude the show on a high note, pop singers and dancers Hou Minghao, Wang Xingyue, and He Luoluo teamed up with Tibetan singer Zahi Bing Zo to perform "Dance On, Lhasa," bringing the evening to a rousing climax.
A standout moment of the evening was a performance of 'Lazi Duixie', a traditional type of tap dance from Xizang's Lazi County, which is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. The rhythmic dance left the audience spellbound, showcasing the region's rich cultural traditions.
The gala also paid tribute to those impacted by the deadly earthquake which struck Xizang's Dingri County last month, extending blessings and good wishes to residents who have been resettled in the affected areas.
The gala, also known as "Chunwan", was first broadcast back in 1983 and is seen as a major cultural symbol for the traditional Spring Festival celebrations in China.
Recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world's most-watched annual TV program, the hours-long television extravaganza attracts over a billion views every year.
The Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, falls on Wednesday this year, ushering in the Year of the Snake.
Lhasa sub-venue displays ethnic culture with spellbinding performances
Lhasa sub-venue displays ethnic culture with spellbinding performances
Lhasa sub-venue displays ethnic culture with spellbinding performances
Lhasa sub-venue displays ethnic culture with spellbinding performances
