WELLINGTON, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The "Songs of Inner Mongolia" performance took center stage on Thursday in Christchurch, the largest city on New Zealand's South Island, enchanting audiences with a vibrant display of traditional music and dance from China's northern grasslands.
Presented by a visiting arts troupe from China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the show celebrated the region's rich cultural heritage through a captivating lineup of performances.
Highlights included instrumental pieces such as Galloping Horse and The Twelve Zodiac Signs, a Mongolian trio dance, a pipa and bamboo flute duet, and the iconic male vocal duet Father's Grassland, Mother's River -- a beloved classic evoking the soul of Inner Mongolia.
The visiting artists also performed alongside local musicians, including members of the University of Canterbury's School of Music, creating a moment of cross-cultural harmony and exchange.
Speaking before the performance, Chinese Consul General in Christchurch He Ying praised the enduring appeal of Mongolian art, noting that its bold dances, resonant melodies, and heartfelt songs have long connected people across borders.
"Tonight's performance allows us to experience the unique beauty of grassland culture and appreciate the diversity and inclusiveness of China's ethnic arts," she said.
The event drew an audience of over 700 people, including Hurunui District Mayor Marie Black, and representatives from the South Island's business, education, cultural, media, and Chinese communities.■