Dance play dips toes in Chu culture during arts festival

With renowned veteran dancer-choreographer Yang Liping as the chief director, the epic dance play Jingchu Impression made its Shanghai debut on Oct 30 at the Shanghai Grand Theatre during the 23rd China Shanghai International Arts Festival, offering audiences an immersive experience of the profound Chu culture.

Jingchu generally refers to the current region of central China's Hubei province known for Chu culture, a critical part of Chinese civilization that thrived over 2,000 years ago.

The patriotic poet Qu Yuan, who lived around 340 to 278 BC, is an iconic figure in Chu culture and one of the greatest poets of ancient China. Qu also serves as the thread of the dance play that connects its four chapters named after Qu's classic poems — Tian Wen (Heavenly Questions), Jiu Ge (Nine Songs), Li Sao (On Encountering Sorrow) and Ju Song (Ode to An Orange Tree).