Ningjin acrobatics shines in Kenya

On Aug 5, the "Chinese Culture Grand Park" camp opened in Nairobi, Kenya. Yang Fuqing, deputy director of the Ningjin Acrobatic Troupe, taught traditional Chinese acrobatics like group martial arts and hat tricks to students at Kenyatta University and other schools.

The 14-day camp, led by 12 teachers from Shandong universities and cultural groups, offered courses in calligraphy, Chinese painting, ethnic dance, martial arts, magic, paper cutting, and acrobatics. Over 350 students, including Kenyan Chinese descendant youths and enthusiasts of Chinese culture, participated. The camp concluded with a performance showcasing their achievements.

Video of the "Chinese Culture Grand Park" camp. [Video by Han Xiaochao/For China Daily]

Ningjin county, one of the birthplaces of Chinese acrobatics, has been named the "hometown of Chinese Folk Art (Acrobatics)" by the State Council. In 2008, Ningjin acrobatics was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage item, celebrated for its key traits: amazement, beauty, and novelty.

The Ningjin Acrobatic Troupe, one of China's oldest, has performed in over 50 countries, including the United States, Canada, Thailand, and South Korea. Graduates from its art school have won a number of prestigious awards, helping bring Chinese acrobatics onto the global stage. (Edited by Lin Li)