[Photo provided to China Daily]

Sangjijia says that for the first time he has added actual words into a work by projecting them onto a huge LED screen at the back of the stage. The words are about people's memories of Hong Kong, including his own.

"This way, even words can be as powerful as movements," says Sangjijia, adding, "For a moment, you will be overwhelmed by the dancers' physical expressions. Then, there is an empty period, which has just a few words to wipe you out."

Speaking of the show, Willy Tsao, the artistic director of the City Contemporary Dance Company, which was founded in 1979, says: "I was curious and interested to see how a Tibetan choreographer would interpret Hong Kong. But after I watched the premiere, I believe the work is not just about Hong Kong, but also about his homeland and the cities where he has lived."

Tsao is also the founder and artistic director of Beijing Dance/LDTX, the first non-government professional dance company in the Chinese mainland and the managing director of Guangdong Modern Dance Company, the first government-supported contemporary dance company.

The Beijing Dance Festival, Tsao's brainchild, will run from Wednesday through July 26. Now in its fifth year, the two-week event will showcase 15 contemporary dance works by professional troupes from 10 countries as well as 47 choreographed works by 200 young talents from around the world.

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If you go

Fragile Beauty

8 pm, July 22. Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center. 9 Tianqiao Nandajie (South Street), Xicheng district, Beijing. 400-635-3355.