Gao Jinrong, 89 years old, former head of Gansu art school (now part of the Lanzhou University of Arts and Science), who is a scholar of Dunhuang dance, gave a speech about the teaching of a dance genre that draws inspiration from the iconic Flying Apsaras found in the murals of the Mogao Caves — a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Dunhuang, Gansu province.

"We have been doing research on the murals, which feature dance elements. From the hand gestures and costumes to facial expressions, the research has provided lots of inspiration for choreographers," says Gao Jinrong, who was involved in compiling teaching materials for dance before her retirement from the art school.

"Ancient Chinese culture presented us with unlimited inspiration. I hope that more students and teachers of dance schools will come to Dunhuang and find inspiration," she says.

Nussipzhanova Bibigul, rector of the Kazakh National Academy of Choreography, gave a speech at the opening event on Nov 1, under the title Heritage of the Silk Road: Inter-cultural Dialogue on Traditional Dance Art and Choreographic Education.

"Since 2016, we have enjoyed cooperation with the Beijing Dance Academy. We co-launched master classes, competitions and projects for promoting communication between students and teachers from the two schools," she says.

Xu Rui, president of Beijing Dance Academy, says: "The pandemic has presented great challenge to us, and now we are finally able to get together, meet up and communicate, which excites all of us."

The event is also part of the ongoing celebration of the 70th anniversary of the dance school.