One of Shaanxi Arts Troupe’s performers doing his thing. Photos by Sarah Kisakye

CULTURE|ENTERTAINMENT

KAMPALA - Lovers of acrobatics should brace themselves for a thrill, following the arrival of award-winning acrobatic team, the Shaanxi Arts Troupe to Uganda.

The team, Friday night performed at the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, at Kololo in Kampala, kicking off the China New Year celebrations.

The visiting art troupe will perform free of charge at Makerere University’s freedom square on Saturday January 26, 2019from at 4:00pm to 6:30pm.

 
Acrobatics involve skillful gymnastic body moves with balancing dance and tumbling to set music. Acrobatics in China is deemed as cultural heritage, and has been performed as a traditional art, dating back many centuries.

(L-R) Wang Weina Director of Shaanxi Performing Company Ltd, Jia Yun Peng, Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhang Zhuqiang and Daudi Migereko during the function at the Chinese Embassy on Friday

 
At last night’s event, China’s Ambassador to Uganda, Zheng Zhuqiang, said such events foster friendship between the two countries.

The chief guest, Daudi Migereko, the Chairman of the Uganda Tourism Board, thanked China for the support towards Uganda’s economic development, especially in infrastructural, energy and Industrial parks development, among others.

He, however, noted the need for Uganda to do better by garnering more tourists to Uganda.

The guests enjoying the performance

 
Close to two million Chinese take vacations across the world however, only close to 2000 come to Uganda for a holiday.

He noted that avenues such as the Chinese acrobatics day and New Year celebrations are good to market Uganda to the Chinese.

This year, the Chinese New Year commences on February 5, 2019.  2019 is the year of THE PIG. In China, pig is a symbol of good fortune and the New Year is also believed to carry with it new ideas and dreams.

A performer engaging the audience

 
The Shaanxi Provincial Acrobatic Art Troupe put up a colouful performance, leaving the audience mesmerized with the skillful and puzzling technique of changing cards, right before one’s eyes, as well as balancing and juggling many balls. A classical Chinese dancer also kept the audience glued while she swayed to a slow beat.

The 2018 My China Essay Winners and Pakasa winners were among the guests in attendance.

The Chinese New Year is a traditional festival in China, a happy occasion for family members to get together, to bid farewell to the past and to embrace the future.