Qiuci dance drama brings Kumarajīva's journey to life at Shanghai Arts Festival

The original dance performance "Qiuci," showcasing the splendor of ancient Chinese Buddhist culture, will have its world premiere at the 24th China Shanghai International Arts Festival in November.

Qiuci, also referred to as Kucha in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, served as a strategic point along the northern route of the ancient Silk Road, where four major civilizations converged.

The Kucha murals in the Kizil Caves in Xinjiang depict people dressed in non-Han Chinese clothes, multi-ethnic dances, and scriptures containing both Eastern and Western wisdom.

The dance, performed by dancers from the Xinjiang Art Theater and Xinjiang Normal University, presents an innovative perspective by exploring the remarkable life of Kumarajīva through the "third eye" of Xuanzang, a 7th-century Chinese Buddhist monk renowned for his extensive travels.

Buddhists consider the third eye to be the "eye of consciousness."

Kumarajīva (344-413 CE), born in Kucha, was a prominent Buddhist monk, scholar, and translator. His contributions were crucial in disseminating Mahayana Buddhism across China and East Asia.

"Kumarajīva came from a privileged background and lived a carefree life, but he ultimately chose to follow a path of faith," states playwright Han Ziyong.

"His ideas provided profound spiritual comfort to many. His story also serves as an inspiration for those of us navigating today's fast-paced, high-pressure world."

Tong Ruirui, the choreographer and director, cites Kizil murals as the inspiration for the dance, which blends Xinjiang ethnic dance with modern dance. The performers, who have long practiced ethnic styles, had undergone extensive training in modern dance and ballet to get themselves ready for "Qiuci."

"The murals of Kizil are highly distinctive, particularly the figures' movements of the waist, hands, and hips, and their expressions," said Tong. "Since I first saw them, I wanted to incorporate these elements into a stage performance."

"Qiuci" will liberate Kizil's culture from the confines of museums. On stage, the dance poses from the murals will "come alive," inviting audiences to revisit the stories of the ancient Silk Road.

Performance info

Dates: November 7-8, 7:30pm; November 9, 2pm

Tickets: 80-880 yuan

Venue: Shanghai Culture Square 上海文化广场

Address: 597 Fuxing Rd M. 复兴中路597号