Performers from China, South Korea and Japan held a summit of their own in Guangzhou on Monday. The event aimed at deepening mutual understanding between the three countries and combined the performing prowess of three Asian sensations known as Nanta, Kodo and Li’s Lion Head.

A group photo of guests and performers.[Photo provided to Newsgd.com]

"Guangzhou, which is known as the capital of food, is the perfect match for Nanta Show since the show is blended with some cooking skill. That’s why we choose Guangzhou as the start of the show," said Sean Choi, CEO of the Chirea Culture Company. Choi hopes that the Nanta Show can take China and even the world by storm through the stage of Guangzhou.

Nanta is a South Korean nonverbal comedy performance presented through music and motions. In 2004, Nanta made an appearance on New York’s Broadway.

Nanta Show [Photo provided to Newsgd.com]

The primal beat of Japan's best-known Taiko ensemble, Kodo performed at the warm-up session. Since its international debut in Berlin in 1981, Kodo has given over 6,000 performances in 50 countries on five continents. In 2003, Chinese audiences got to know Kodo through their work on the soundtrack of Zhang Yimou’s movie Hero.

Yuta Sumiyoshi, a member of Kodo shared his original aspirations to the attendees. In 1971, Yuta’s ancestors came to Sado Island of Japan and began to work on traditional Japanese Taiko performance. Over the years of rigorous and consistent training, they have broken new ground for the show which have been passed down to the present day.

Taiko performance presented by Kodo. [Photo provided to Newsgd.com]

Zhou Jiaxin is the sixth generation of "lion head" makers. Her family has been making “lion heads” for lion dancing since the Qing Dynasty, which have become known as “Li's Lion Head”. “I wish someday that Li's Lion Head can be staged in Japan and South Korea to let people around to world have the chance to experience our tradition,” Zhou told Newsgd.com.

“Li's Lion Head” is one of the main props for the popular dance drama named “The Awakening Lion”. In 2018 “The Awakening Lion” by the Guangzhou Song and Dance Theater won the “Dance Drama Award” at the 11th Lotus Award, the highest dance award in China. It is the first large-scale dance drama in China themed around the Cantonese Lion Dance.

Performance of The Awakening Lion. [Photo provided to Newsgd.com]

Renowned scholars, artists, journalists and senior officials from cultural enterprises and organizations from China, Japan and South Korea also sharing their stories of original aspiration and craftsmanship on stage.

Cantonese opera performer Chen Zhenjiang [Photo provided to Newsgd.com]

Author: Keane

Editor: Chris