Chinese art troupe to celebrate Confucius Day

A world-class Chinese art troupe will begin its first Australian tour in Darwin tonight (Thursday, 1 October) as part of Confucius Institute Day, organised by the Confucius Institute at Charles Darwin University.

The Art Troupe of 24 students and teachers from Beijing University of Chemical Technology will bring energy and movement to the stage at the public event at the Darwin Entertainment Centre.

Confucius Institute director Professor Martin Jarvis OAM said the “Chinese art performance” would celebrate traditional Chinese music, dance and martial arts and also coincide with Chinese National Day.

Performers will play a range of unique instruments, including the bamboo flute and a 1000-year-old “erhu” traditional violin. The performance will also include Tai Chi, Chinese calligraphy and ethnic folk and classical dance.

Professor Jarvis said the troupe’s tour of Australia would come off the back of a successful European tour last year and also a recent tour of Fiji.

“We are delighted that the Art Troupe will make its Australian debut in Darwin and allow the community to experience the wonders of Chinese culture on this special night,” he said.

“This Confucius Institute Day event is open to anyone interested in discovering the diverse tradition and fascinating aspects of Chinese performance.” 

The Art Troupe tour has been organised in partnership with the Confucius Institute Headquarters in Beijing and the Beijing University of Chemical Technology. 

The “Chinese art performance” will be held at the Darwin Entertainment Centre on Thursday, 1 October from 7.30pm.