Famous dragon dancers pride of Pudong
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, June 5, 2013
Years ago, Lu and his team performed in France and was surprised that the exotic dragon dance was the most popular show during the event.
"The encores were unprecedented and we came back to perform twice more. Finally, every member was too exhausted to walk," he recalls.
"When we perform outside China, the feeling is very different, maybe because it's all new to the audience. They are so engaged and happy that you want to spread the inspiring quality of the dragon dance," says Wang Lei, a former dancer in the troupe.
The Sanlin team has performed in Europe and Southeast Asia, and at national celebrations such as the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai and at celebrations in 1997 for Hong Kong's return to China.
In Belgium, Lu set up a dragon dance team comprised entirely of Europeans. Dragon dancing has become so popular worldwide that there are regular international competitions and even a rule book.
The Sanlin Dragon and Lion Dance Team is frequently the winner.
"Sanlin people managed to find their own roots by engaging in dragon dancing, expressing strong feelings for their native land as well as a spirit of persistence and struggle," Lu says.
In Sanlin, dragon dance students range in age from four years old to 75 and include women.
"The sense of achievement is beyond words," says Feng Junyan, head of the dragon dance team at Sanlin High School. "I had never before realized the power of all pulling together until I joined the team. And, my family is really proud of me."
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