The making of the BRICS Evening Gala
- By Zhang Rui, Zhang Ruomeng
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E-mail China.org.cn, September 7, 2017
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Performers dance during an evening gala for the 2017 BRICS Summit and the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 4, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] |
Chen Yan, the general stage designer, explained: "We determined that the gala should cater to international tastes, Chinese characteristics, the BRICS spirit and southern Fujian style.
"This gala is beautiful, clean and full of spirituality. The whole show is seamless, so you don't see the chapter switchover; everything connects naturally and smoothly."
However, most of the creators are from Beijing, observed Chen Weiya, director of art direction committee of the gala, "and they did not actually know much about Fujian culture." The legendary event director handled production of the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening and closing ceremony alongside Zhang Yimou.
So many artists went to the grassroots level to Fujian cities and towns such as Quanzhou and Ningde to gain a feel for the cultural elements and the arts involved in the gala.
More than 1,000 personnel were involved in putting on the show in front of Chinese president Xi Jinping and the leaders of the other four member states as well as other elite guests and audiences either presenting or watching on TV Monday night.
"I felt the whole process was unforgettable and was amazed how quickly the time flew by," Chen added. "I believed that, when those guests saw the show, they would have felt very comfortable, friendly and impressed with our Fujian Province and culture. I hope they took those memories home, and I think this is an exchange of cultures and the artistic immersion."
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