The group of samba dance performers, all older than 50 years old, perform in an auditorium in Hangzhou, on Monday, July 2, 2007.

Is samba-dancing the exclusive preserve of young people?

Clearly not!

A group of retired senior citizens, in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, treated people to a two-hour excellent samba dance performance on Monday.

"My real life started at the moment I retired." Mrs. Wang said.

She told Zhejiang Online that she has now learnt samba for eight years, following her retirement.

"I have seen so many young girls excitedly learning samba. However, I saw their passion for the dance gradually fade within a few months, because most of them are too busy with work."

Mrs Wang said she completely immerses herself into the dance when performing onstage: she feels like a young girl again.

Like Mrs Wang, more and more retired women have found their interest in samba. For them, samba is not only a way to relax, but also a way to make people younger.

(CRI.cn July 3, 2007)