The acrobatic show "A Family Letter" is staged at the Great Hall of the People on Wednesday, October 20, 2010, to mark the 60th anniversary of the China National Acrobatic Troupe. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]
An acrobatic gala show was staged at the Great Hall of the People on Wednesday night to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the China National Acrobatic Troupe.
Based on a letter written by an acrobat to her mother, the 90-minute show, dubbed "A Family Letter," told the story of an outstanding China National Acrobatic Troupe acrobat. It was composed of more than ten programs, including several gold prize-winning ones.
Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong, Beijing Party Chief Liu Qi and Culture Minister Cai Wu attended the grand gala show in Beijing.
The China National Acrobatic Troupe, founded in 1950, was the first state-level acrobatic group set up by the central government after the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Before that, acrobats earned meager livings, had no performance space and used only humble practice facilities, enduring both bad weather and little respect from other people. At that time, acrobats, actors and other types of performers were the least-respected people in China.
After the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, they began to enjoy stable incomes, professional training, safer facilities and, most importantly, people's respect.
As an ambassador of public diplomacy, the China National Acrobatic Troupe has visited more than 110 countries and regions in the past decades.
In addition, it has won dozens of prizes at international competitions, such as the Golden Clown Award at the International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo and the President Award at the 26th International Circus Festival of Tomorrow in France.
The audience at the gala show was deeply impressed by the collection of prize-winning programs.
A woman surnamed Wang who is in her sixties told reporters that the show was "stunning" and "a perfect combination of acrobatics, music, dance and lighting."
