Red lantern dancers: Dancers from the National Ballet of China rehearse a scene from the ballet Raise the Red Lantern at Sydney's Capitol theater, 28 March 2006.

The world famous National Ballet of China will bring its hailed Raise the Red Lantern ballet to Jakarta next November to coincide with the celebration of 67 years of diplomatic ties between Indonesia and China.

The ballet version of the internationally acclaimed film director Zhang Yimou’s 1991 movie will be performed at the Ciputra Artpreneur Theater, South Jakarta.

Talks that had begun last year to bring it to this country had been met with regrets twice because of the tight schedule of the ballet company, said Tadjudin Hidajat, the executive of the Association of Indonesia-China Economic, Social and Cultural Cooperation.

“It will be a rare performance that should not be missed,” he said at a recent press conference.

Sponsored by the Embassy of China and the association, the show is organized by Ciputra Artpreneur, the Indonesia Dance Society and ChinaDesk Indonesia Global with support from the Indonesian government.

Chinese Embassy cultural counsellor Jin Hong Yue said the performance would be a part of the cultural exchange program between the two countries, through which many reciprocal performances had been previously held.

The Indonesian government has aimed to get 1.7 million tourists from China this year. As of August 980,194 tourists visited, about 58 percent of the total target.

Last year, the number of tourists from China was 1.14 million — an increase of 18.98 percent compared to 2014.

“We are increasing connectivity and accessibility for Chinese tourists by adding to the number of regular and chartered flights. Starting November, there will be more flights available from China to Bali and Manado,” said Tourism Ministry assistant deputy director Dody Prianto.

“Our relationship in the tourist industry will also go further as there have been talks with a Chinese investor to develop a resort in North Sulawesi,” he added.

Organizing committee chairman Paiman Mak said that the free-of-charge shows would involve 101 dancers, opera singers, musicians and stage crew.

“We don’t sell tickets and instead will distribute invitations to selected institutions. We will also invite dance students as well as children with disabilities to watch the practice and rehearsal sessions during the two days,” he said.

Indonesian ballet students and teachers are to join a master class led by Xu Gang, the ballet master of the company.

“I’m excited to be here. It’s actually my second time here because in 1997 the National Ballet of China performed in Jakarta and I was a dancer in the Swan Lake repertoire,” he said.

He explained that the Raise the Red Lantern ballet was a breakthrough initiated by the company’s former director and artistic director Zhao Ruheng who approached film director Zhang Yimou to adapt the film into a stage performance that combines ballet with Chinese opera, music and acrobats.

The ballet Raise the Red Lantern premiered in 2001 and has graced prestigious stages around the world. Set in the 1920s, the theatrical repertoire tells the story of a young concubine who is seeking her true love.

Juliana Tanjo, the founder of the Indonesia Dance Society, shared her optimism over the development of ballet here under the cultural exchange program.

“Ballet dancers can learn from observing the training classes that will eventually grow and develop the ballet scene in Indonesia. This performance can also increase public appreciation of ballet and the beauty of performance art,” Juliana said.

-----------------

Raise the Red Lantern by The National Ballet of China

Date: Nov. 2 and 3, 2016
Venue: Ciputra Artpreneur Theater, South Jakarta
Tickets: By invitation only

Popular

To my horror, it’s just a movie!

RI, Australia strengthen partnership on taxing crypto assets

Pentagon chief congratulates Prabowo on being elected President