VALLETTA, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Taiji (Tai Chi) practitioners in Malta marked World Taiji Day on Saturday with the first-ever relay flash mob at Malta's most iconic sites.
The practitioners traveled on a traditional Maltese bus and practiced Taiji at some of Malta's most famous historical sites and tourist attractions, staging a 30-minute practice at each spot.
Starting at the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Malta's capital Valletta, the practitioners then traveled to Mdina, Hagar Qim Temple, Popeye Village and the Cittadella on the sister island of Gozo.
They practiced a variety of Taiji styles such as Taiji Sword, Taiji Fan, Taiji Quan, Baduanjin and others.
The event was jointly organized by the China Cultural Center in Malta, the Malta Tourism Authority, the Heritage Malta, and the Cultural Heritage Directorate of Gozo.
The event aims to share with the Maltese audience the spiritual connotation of the unity of heaven and mankind, harmony and tolerance of Taiji which is part of a healthy and balanced lifestyle, said Yang Xiaolong, director of the China Cultural Center in Malta.
He said that the center has actively promoted Taiji since 2007, holding training courses and World Taiji Day celebrations as well as strengthening cooperation and exchanges with local Taiji institutions.
Taiji is a traditional Chinese martial art characterized by gentle movement exercises and has been widely practiced around the world. World Taiji Day falls on the last Saturday of April. ■