Along the Silk Road

Along the Silk Road was created and premiered in 1979 in Lanzhou, northwestern China, by Gansu Song and Dance Troupe (now Gansu Dunhuang Arts Theatre). It is a large-scale Chinese ethnic dance drama inspired by Dunhuang murals. The play consists of six historical dance dramas set against the backdrop of the Tang Dynasty at its peak, celebrating the artistic labor of the old painter Zhang and his daughter, Ying Niang, a singer. It depicts their joys and sorrows, as well as their pure friendship with a Persian merchant named Yinus. The drama celebrates the long- standing friendship between the people of the Central Plains and the Western Regions, showcasing the flourishing internal governance and frequent economic and cultural exchanges during the Tang time. Notably, the Playing the Pipa from the Back performed by the female lead has become a classic pose in Chinese dance.

Along the Silk Road has been staged for over 40 years and remains as fresh as ever. It is not only a calling card for Gansu, China, but also enjoys reputation as "the best Chinese ethnic dance drama", "a milestone in Chinese ethnic dance drama", and "Swan Lake of the East". The play has been performed extensively, drawing unprecedented crowds wherever it has been shown. Regarded as a "model of Chinese ethnic dance drama", it has been included in the annals of Chinese national art history as a classic work of 20th-century Chinese dance.

《絲路花雨》

《絲路花雨》1979年誕生于中國西北的蘭州，由中國甘肅省歌舞團（今甘肅敦煌藝術劇院）創作并首演，是取材于敦煌壁畫的中國大型民族舞劇。該劇是以中 國唐朝極盛時期為背景的六場歷史舞劇，歌頌了老畫工神筆張和歌伎英娘父女倆的藝術勞動，描寫了他們的悲歡離合，以及他們與波斯商人伊努斯之間的純潔友誼。高度頌揚了中原和西域人民源遠流長的友誼，再現了唐朝內政昌明、對外經濟文化交往頻繁的盛況。其中，女主角英娘表演的“反彈琵琶”，成為中國舞的經典造型。

《絲路花雨》上舞臺40多年來，歷久彌新，不僅是中國甘肅的一張名片，更享有“中國民族舞劇之最”“中國民族舞劇里程碑”“東方的天鵝湖”等美譽。該劇久演不衰，所到之處盛況空前。該劇被譽為“中國民族舞劇的典范”，并作為20世紀中國舞蹈經典劇目載入中華民族藝術史冊。