As a special contingent of the cultural exchange delegation from China to Africa, Chinese Wushu troupe from Shandong Province hit it big on the African continent with their extraordinary skills and refined stage demeanor. The Chinese Kungfu performances in African countries were part of Chinese Cultural Tour of Africa, which was initiated on July 13, and drew the curtain on August 13.

On the evening of July 19, Shandong Wushu troupe presented a marvelous Chinese Kungfu gala at the Playhouse Theatre in Durban, a coastal city in South Africa. About 400 spectators including the officials from the local government and the Chinese consulate as well as the oversea Chinese in Durban, enjoyed the first-ever Wushu show, a gem of traditional Chinese culture, which further promoted the traditional friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples, as well as their cultural exchanges. The performance also gave the oversea Chinese in Durban a feeling of being at home again. After the performance, the oversea Chinese expressed their gratitude and excitement, hoping more artistic troupes from the motherland would come to South Africa.

The show started with an elaborate performance of Wushu basic skills, demonstrating the combination of firmness and flexibility of Chinese Kungfu and stirring up tremendous enthusiasm. The following performance of some repertoires together with some acrobatic programs dazzled the audience with their superb skills. Other than a sheer exhibition of skills, the show brought to the audience deeper understanding of traditional Chinese culture.

After the success in South Africa, the troupe visited Lusaka, the capital of Zambia on July 22. The local audience feasted their eyes on the superb Wushu and acrobatic performances. In return of the wonderful show presented by the Wushu troupe, Zambia would send a song and dance troupe to China next year.

On August 2, the troupe debuted in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. Applause echoed throughout the whole performance. The young performers, averaging 17 with the youngest at 12 years old, stunned the audience with their perfect mastery of Wushu and acrobatic skills. On August 4, the troupe gave a special performance in Lagos, the commercial center of Nigeria. On August 6 and 7, the troupe also entertained the local Chinese and Chinese organizations.

The month-long Chinese Cultural Tour of Africa officially ended on August 13, indicating a conclusion of the "African Year" initiated by China's Ministry of Culture last November. The Chinese Cultural Tour of Africa traveled to 11 countries on the south of Sahara Desert staging more than 50 performances. Among them three African countries, South Africa, Cameron and Ghana, held the China Art Festival, a combination of high-level performances and exhibitions. Three performing troupes, Yunnan Acrobatic Troupe, Hunan Song and Dance Troupe and Shandong Wushu troupe, together with exhibitions like "Beautiful China" photo show, "Chinese Musical Instruments Exhibition" and "Chinese Embroidery Exhibition" brought to the African audiences the magnificent natural sceneries, time-honored history and brilliant civilization of China.

(Chinaculture.org August 19, 2004)