Afsana Asha

On the occasion of celebrating ‘Chinese New Year and Spring Festival 2017’, a two-day event was held at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), Segun Bagicha in the capital on Sunday and yesterday. Renowned Henan Art Troupe from China fascinated the audience of Dhaka with their breathtaking performances.
Bangladesh and China agreed to designate the year of 2017 as a ‘year of exchange and friendship’ between the two countries during the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Bangladesh in October, 2016. As a part the declaration, the celebration of ‘Chinese New Year and Spring Festival 2017’ was jointly organised by Bangladesh-China Friendship Centre, Chinese Embassy in Dhaka and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.   
Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor was present as chief guest on the opening day of the event on Sunday and expressed his gratitude to the Chinese delegation. He stated that Bangladeshi troupe would visit China very soon to represent the culture of Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also sent a letter on the occasion of Chinese New Year celebration and Spring Festival 2017, which was read out by Asaduzzaman Noor at the programme on Sunday.
Cultural Affairs Secretary Begum Akhtary Momtaz, Charge d’Affaires of Chinese Embassy to Bangladesh Yang Shichao and BSA Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky were present as special guests on the opening day. President of Bangladesh-China Friendship Centre Delwar Hossain delivered the welcome speech at the event.
The programme began with the dance performance ‘Obhijatra’ by a Bangladeshi troupe, which was choreographed by Munmun Ahmed. The dance performance demonstrated the life struggle of birds. Dhaka Sangskritik Dal performed a chorus rendition in Chinese language.  
Then, artistes of Henan Art Troupe took the stage and depicted the culture of China through a dance performance. After that, the artistes performed Shaolin Kung Fu, which is the oldest institutionalised style of Chinese martial arts.
Next, a solo instrumental music was played by an artiste who performed a Chinese song in his violin. The artiste thrilled the audience with the performance of Rabindra Sangeet ‘Gram Chhara Oi Ranga Matir Path’ in his violin.
The women artistes of the troupe presented an acrobatic show, which also mesmerised the audience immensely at the programme of the opening day.
A total of 35 members on behalf of Henan Art Troupe participated during the two-day event at BSA.
Photo  jaki zaman

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