The fragrance of flowers enriches the charm of poetry, as music and dance unfold together in the warmth of spring. The 2025 Crabapple Gala Opening Ceremony and Crabapple Poetry Party, themed “Enjoy Crabapple Blossoms, Promote Mutual Learning Among Civilizations,” was successfully held at the Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling in Beijing on April 7. Li Bin, Vice Chairwoman of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Chairwoman of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, attended the event. More than 200 distinguished guests from China and abroad gathered together, including diplomats, envoys, representatives of international organizations, and friends from over 40 countries across five continents.
At the invitation of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, Beijing Dance Academy (BDA) performed the Han-Tang classical dance Ta Ge, “sing and dance”, showcasing light and graceful movements. Chinese and international guests were invited to appreciate the unique elegance of Chinese traditional culture. Liu Lan, Party Secretary of BDA, attended the event alongside Hu Huaibei, Party Secretary of the Chinese Dance Department and Director of the Chinese Classical Dance Department, Hu Yan, Director of the Student Affairs Department, and other faculty representatives.
“Crabapple Gala” is a cultural event brand held at the Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling, Honorary President of the People’s Republic of China. Using flowers as a medium and culture as a bridge for friendship, the event attracts numerous guests from home and abroad. While showcasing the unique charm of Chinese culture, it also provides an opportunity for international guests to strengthen friendships and deepen cooperation.
The event was hosted by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, supported by the Xicheng District People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, and co-organized by the Soong Ching Ling Former Residence Management Center and the Xicheng District Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Beijing.
On Stage·Ta Ge Performance
At the event, students from the 2022 cohort of the Chinese Classical Dance Department, dressed in green costumes, danced to the music, offering guests an immersive experience of a vibrant spring outing and painting a beautiful picture of spring.
The classical dance Ta Ge draws inspiration from the cultural charm of the Wei, Jin, and Southern Dynasties, incorporating dance motifs from artifacts of the ancient Jianghan and Qinhuai regions. It seeks to portray a beautiful scene of elegant figures strolling and enjoying a spring outing together.
Off Stage·A Fusion of Cultures
Before and after the performance, Chinese and international guests warmly interacted and took group photos with the BDA’s faculty and students, sharing the unique charm of Chinese dance and capturing the beautiful moment brimming with the vitality of spring.
BDA has always upheld the philosophy of “using dance as a bridge for cultural exchange and mutual learning.” While continually exploring the contemporary value of traditional culture, BDA uses dance as a powerful medium to foster cross-cultural dialogue. Through compelling performances of classical dance works, BDA conveys the essence of Eastern aesthetics to international audiences, vividly highlighting the artistic charm of traditional Chinese dance. Moving forward, BDA will further use the language of dance to tell China’s story well, promoting the beautiful vision of “appreciating diversity while embracing unity,” and contributing to the mutual appreciation and shared prosperity of cultures worldwide.
