The Spring Festival Gala's sub-venue in Hefei，east China's Anhui Province highlighted the unique and innovative stage design, as well as the lighting based on cutting-edge drone technology.
Hosted by the China Media Group (CMG), the long-running gala this year features four different remote sub-venues in addition to the main stage in Beijing. Taking the grand show to new locations each year has become a new tradition, shining a spotlight on more of China's varied landscapes and cultural traditions.
In Hefei, the unique characteristics of Anhui Province were brought to life with performances combining dance themed on traditional Chinese ink and Huangmei opera. A stunning technological display featuring low-flying drones highlighted the harmonious fusion of technology and culture, illuminating the rich history and modern dynamism of the region.
The main stage for the Hefei sub-venue was set up inside Luogang Park. Covering an area of 12.7 square kilometers, it is currently the world's largest urban park. It is not only a cultural landmark of Hefei but also a site for the application of technologies such as low-altitude flight and autonomous driving.
"The investments and goals that Hefei is currently pursuing are all based on a forward-looking concept. So I was thinking, with Hefei's broad vision, could we take the inspiration from the eyesight, and create an 'Eye of Beautiful Anhui,'" said Zhang Min, head organizer of the CMG Spring Festival Gala Hefei sub-venue.
The "sky-ground matrix" formed by low-altitude aircraft arrays above the main stage left a deep impression on everyone. This was also the first time that "flying lights" technology had been used on the Spring Festival Gala stage.
To ensure the smooth and synchronized operation of multiple aircraft, the lighting and technical teams tackled numerous technical challenges, employing wireless remote control for intelligent lighting control to perfectly coordinate with the matrix performance on the ground stage.
"This year, we designed 16 'flying lights'. They adopt intelligent and digital control systems that combine many wireless technologies, including advanced, domestically produced technologies in the field of lighting, developed by the Chinese people alone," said Yang Hao, chief light designer of Hefei sub-venue.
Besides Hefei, the other three sub-venues for the Spring Festival Gala this year are Harbin, the provincial capital of Heilongjiang in northeast China known as the "ice city," Yiwu in east China's Zhejiang, which has been dubbed "the world's supermarket," and Yibin in southwestern Sichuan Province, known for its ancient architecture and picturesque scenery along the banks of the Yangtze River.
Spring Festival Gala Hefei sub-venue highlights sci-tech elements
