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Shandong Province is the star of sister-state South Australia's OzAsia Festival

Arts

SHANDONG Province is at the centre of South Australia’s 2014 OzAsia Festival program, revealed today by the Adelaide Festival Centre.

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Over 140 performers will travel from Shandong to share their acts with South Australian audiences.

Minister for the Arts, Jack Snelling, says the exchange of culture will nurture the relationship between the two states.

“In addition to entertaining audiences, OzAsia is helping our understand of Asian culture, traditions and language. This year, the focus on Shandong will bring to Adelaide some amazing shows and exhibitions that would otherwise never be seen in this country,” said Minister Snelling.

Artistic Director of OzAsia, Douglas Gautier, said that the festival is a vital ingredient in aiding cultural understanding and promoting a harmonious community.

“From acclaimed Shandong Acrobatic Troupe to Beijing’s famed minimalistic dance troupe, TAO Dance Theatre. This great work has never been seen in this country before and is exclusive to OzAsia festival,” said Gautier.

Shandong and South Australia share a close relationship, and their capital cities, Qingdao and Adelaide, often host trade missions and other events to promote their sister-state status.

This year’s hero image for the Festival is the dragon kite; Chinese dragons are legendary creatures in Chinese mythology and folklore, like the dragon the Festival holds virtues of power, strength, energy and good fortune. Shandong is known as the birthplace of kites and is home to the World Kite Museum, the largest in the world.

OzAsia Festival 2014

Shandong Province Focus for OzAsia

OzAsia Festival on Facebook

@OzAsia on Twitter

Highlights of the festival:

Qingdao Song and Dance Theatre’s premiere and exclusive performance of Red Sorghum; the company is renowned for their breathtaking work. Adapted from the novel by Shandong’s Nobel Prize winning author Mo Yan, and is the winner of this year’s Wenhua Prize, China’s Ministry of Culture’s highest award for professional arts, the work presents themes of love, affection and patriotism.

Ghosts, foxes, immortals and demons are brought to life with stunning performances, breathtaking acrobatics and dream-like staging by award winning Shandong Acrobatic Troupe. Featuring more than 50 performers, the Australian premiere of Dream of the Ghost Story is a spectacular and visually stunning experience for the whole family.

Beijing’s famed minimalist modern dance troupe TAO Dance Theatre has taken China by storm and is now set to captivate Adelaide audiences this September with the performance of 6 and the world premiere of 7.

Moon Lantern Festival remains a pivotal night on the State’s cultural calendar, this year falling on Monday 8 September, 3pm – 8.30pm. Elder Park is transformed and will be a glow with abundant light from the hundreds of lanterns and the magical wonder of the full moon.

The program boasts 6 world premieres, 7 Australian premieres, 8 South Australian premieres and 26 Adelaide exclusives. 

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