Taizhou University Dragon &Lion Dance Team, at the invitation of Taizhou Aid-Xinjiang Command and the support of the university, traveled ten thousand miles to the First Division, Alar City, and the Aksu Prefecture to carry out cultural exchange and teaching activities from September 4th to 12th.

Since receiving the invitation from Taizhou Aid-Xinjiang Command in March this year, the School of Teacher Education (Physical Education) has attached great importance to this cultural exchange activity and formed a coaching team and selected outstanding dragon and lion athletes who have participated in national competitions multiple times. The delegation to Xinjiang consisted of 3 teachers—Luo Xiwen, Fan Kun, Ye Ting—led by Vice Dean Qin Yude, and 16 dragon and lion athletes. Before departure, Lin Huijie, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Teacher Education (Physical Education), delivered a speech, requiring the delegation to take fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation as their responsibility, using dragon and lion dance as a medium to draw Taizhou and Alar closer.

Taizhou University Dragon &Lion Dance team

The Dragon &Lion Dance Team went to the First Division Senior High School, Tarim Senior High School, Aksu Prefecture Qiming School, the First Division Alar Vocational and Technical School, and the Ninth Regiment Middle School for exchange and teaching activities. The majesty and agility of the lions, the superb martial arts skills of the lion leaders, and the highly difficult movements and rolling maneuvers of the golden dragon brought a high-level dragon and lion performance feast to the audience.

To further strengthen the interaction, exchange, and integration among the youth of Taizhou and Alar, the teachers and students of the Dragon &Lion Dance Team taught the local students knowledge on dragon and lion techniques and cultural connotations.

The cultural exchange period of the Dragon and Lion Team coincided with the 41st Teacher’s Day. The team participated in the “Strengthening Teachers, Aid-Xinjiang Sentiment, Taizhou-Alar Co-construction Writing a Splendid Chapter” teacher solidarity activity organized by Taizhou Aid-Xinjiang Command and the “41st Teacher’s Day Celebration Activity” of Alar City education system, sending blessings from Taizhou to the aid-Xinjiang cadres and teachers in Alar.

Dragon &Lion Dance team at the First Division Senior High School

Dragon &Lion Dance team at Tarim Senior High School

Dragon &Lion Dance team at the First Division Alar Vocational and Technical School

Dragon &Lion Dance team with teachers and students of Aksu Prefecture Qiming School

Dragon &Lion Dance team participating in the Teacher’s Day solidarity activity

Highlights of Dragon &Lion Dance team’s performances

The wonderful performances of the university Dragon &Lion Dance Team during their stay in Xinjiang were highly praised by the leaders of the Taizhou Aid-Xinjiang Command and the teachers and students of Alar. In this cultural aid-Xinjiang activity, TU used dragon and lion dance as a carrier and culture as a bond, working hand in hand to contribute TU’s strength to fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, inheriting outstanding traditional Chinese culture, and promoting cultural integration between Taizhou and Alar!