Winds of China sweeps over Rovaniemi

One hundred Chinese Little Stars held a show titled Winds of China at the Korundi House of Culture in Rovaniemi on July 13.

The show featured a kaleidoscope of dancing and singing ranging from choruses to traditional dances with paper fans and umbrella, and peacock dance. The show ended with a special showcase of Chinese traditional costumes of 56 ethnic groups worn by the child performers aged from eight to 12.

The Office of Culture of the Rovaniemi City arranged the show in cooperation with IK-Consulting Ltd and the Shanghai Little Star Arts School, a subsidiary of the Shanghai Media Group, under the framework of Kaustinen Folk Music Festival.

Shanghai Media Group is one of the China’s largest and most important media companies. It has 15 cable and satellite channels, 13 radio channels, 15 digital TV channels, and eight newspapers and magazines. Founded in 1985 by the media group, Shanghai Little Arts School offers art education to children aged three to 18 on its 22 campuses across Shanghai.

Talking to the Daily Finland, Shanghai Little Star School’s Principal Zou Sheng said, “We have named the show Winds of China as we wanted to bring an array of traditional Chinese culture to Finland.”

Winds of China definitely sent breezes of wonderment towards the audience who frequently burst into applause amazed by the multicoloured space of Chinese culture.

“You have to know that they are not professionals, they are children. However, you would find them very good,” remarked IK-Consulting Ltd Managing Director Ilkka Köngäs.

Zou Sheng said, “Finland is an enchanting land to many Chinese people. Summer is a particularly good season in Finland with green trees and colourful flowers dotting the landscape as in a carefully tended garden. That’s why we wanted to visit Finland in this season.”

Besides, the Little Star Arts School wanted to celebrate the 100th anniversary of independence of Finland represented by the 100 performers it sent to Finland, said Zou.

This was the second time that a cultural show from China was staged at the Korundi House of Culture. The first Chinese cultural show was held by another school from Shandong province, Zou added.