HARARE, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- In Zimbabwe, a Chinese-sponsored talent show is helping young artists reach their full potential and bring their dreams to life.
On Friday night, 17 artist groups filled a theater in Harare, Zimbabwe's capital, with vibrant performances as they competed for the top prize in the ninth season of Dreamstar Zimbabwe, hosted by the Zimbabwe Jacaranda Culture and Media Corporation (JCMC), an entertainment company, in partnership with the China-Zimbabwe Exchange Center.
The grand finale was a culmination of auditions held throughout Zimbabwe, identifying raw talent in music, dance, magic, opera, and other disciplines.
Three performers ultimately claimed the top prizes, which included cash rewards, all-expenses-paid tours to China, and recording deals with JCMC.
Pandazz Dance Hub, a Harare-based dance group, wowed the panel of judges with their captivating performance. The group also emerged as the fans' top choice after showcasing their prowess in dancing.
Shadreck Moyo, founder of the seven-member youth group, was beaming with joy following the announcement of the winners.
"It's an amazing feeling, I do not want to lie. This is the first time that a dance crew has won Dreamstar. It is a dream come true for us. We had so many ups and downs, but we are here today," he said.
Moyo said the opportunity to visit and perform in China will enable the dance group to experience an international stage and strengthen their global profile.
Liu Bing, a Chinese female participant who was among the top 10 finalists in the inaugural Dreamstar in 2014, said the show has been elevated to international standards over the past decade.
"Compared to 2014, the local response is now very strong. It's similar to some of the most popular events in China right now. It has also had a very positive impact on cultural exchange in Zimbabwe. Every year, some outstanding contestants go to China to perform and gain valuable learning experience, which is excellent," she said.
According to Zhao Ke, founder of Dreamstar and the China-Zimbabwe Exchange Center, the talent show's mission is to discover Zimbabwe's talented artists hidden in communities and transform their dreams into realities.
"Lots of Zimbabwean people have talents in arts and culture, but they do not have a platform to showcase their talents," he said, adding that Dreamstar has propelled many unknown artists from the backstage to the front stage since its launch in 2014.
Through the initiative, about 300 young artists have visited China for cultural exchange programs, and some have received scholarships to study there, said Zhao.
Zhao Zhanyu, board member of China Railway No. 9 Engineering Group (Zimbabwe), which sponsored the event, told Xinhua in an interview that the show has provided a platform for Chinese enterprises in Zimbabwe to help talented young artists realize their dreams, further promoting people-to-people exchange between the two countries.
"On the stage, the sincere connections between the two peoples have overcome barriers of language," Zhao said, adding that Chinese enterprises would make greater efforts to organize more cultural activities to deepen the friendship of the two sides in the future. ■