CAIRO, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Artists from Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, are captivating local audiences in Cairo with street performances blending traditional dance, martial arts and Chinese culture at an international arts forum.
The performances are part of the 10th Awladna International Forum for Arts of the Gifted, which is held from Sept. 17 to 24 under the theme "Art Unites Us." The event draws 16 performing arts troupes and 11 theater groups, and features 23 film screenings from 54 countries, along with workshops, masterclasses and outdoor performances across multiple venues in the Egyptian capital.
The Chengdu Art Performance Troupe, visiting Egypt for the first time, has staged five shows at Cairo's Art Street. Their repertoire combines Chinese dance with martial arts, swordplay and classical dance, drawing crowds of Egyptian onlookers, including children attracted by the colorful costumes and lively movements.
As the Chinese artists performed, passersby gathered around the open-air venue, with some stopping after hearing the music and moving closer to watch the show.
"The Chinese performances are absolutely wonderful, especially since they take place in the street among the people and passersby," said Egyptian musician Saber Ali, noting that the shows let audiences get closer to Chinese culture -- an ancient civilization with deep historical roots, much like Egypt itself.
"Art is a common language among all nations, and it bridges distances," Mohamed Beheiry, a Cairo hairstylist, told Xinhua, praising the performance for its professionalism.
Seeking to bring Chinese culture directly to local people, the troupe will also perform in neighborhoods, public squares and other community spaces.
Its participation this year has particular significance, as the forum coincides with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Egypt and China.
Soheir Abdel-Kader, founder and president of the forum, described the occasion as a historic milestone reflecting the humanitarian and cultural bonds and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
"This year's slogan, 'Art Unites Us,' has become a tangible reality through the active Chinese participation," Abdel-Kader said.
She praised the Chinese artists' performances, saying the traditional shows and the Chinese dragon dance presented at the opening ceremony at the Cairo Opera House conveyed a humanitarian message: creativity knows no barriers.
"The forum was keen in its 10th edition to open up new horizons for cooperation and cultural integration with the Chinese side," Abdel-Kader said. ■