(Host of this CCTV report is Raquel Olsson, a Boston University graduate.)
To celebrate China’s annual Youth Day which falls on May 4, a dazzling gala featuring students from around the country was aired on CCTV on Saturday night. Some 1,500 students took part, filling the atmosphere with their energetic songs and dances, all based on the theme “Flowers of May, Our Chinese Dream”.
Divided into five sections entitled “Inherit”, “Beautiful Dream”, “Youthful Dream”, “Strive for Your Dream”, and “Our Chinese Dream”, the gala showcased the multi-faceted talents of these Chinese college students. Some students from Jilin University were beating drums which resembled blue and white porcelain. Others performed poems accompanied by traditional clappers.
Guan Yuejia, student from Jilin University, said, “Here we not only do hand movements, but at the same time do knee lifts and move our heads. Our clapper tappings are coordinated with the drums. So, the whole set of movements is complicated.”
Students from China’s ethnic minorities were also represented. A coming-of-age ceremony from the Yao minority group; a Torch Festival from the Yi ethnic minority; performances from Sichuan and the songs of boatmen from Hunan province – a veritable panorama of China’s diversity.
Pilots may not be synonymous with tap dancing, but these trainee pilots certainly are.
There were nine foreign students participating in the performances, ensuring the international market is catered to. A dance piece set to folk tunes was presented by students from east China’s Ningbo University. It featured a young boy from Cameroon. It’s a dream come true for him to perform on this stage.
A student performer said, “I’ve watched many youngsters performing on the CCTV stage. I’ve always wanted to stand on this stage. Now, my dream has come true and I’m very happy.”
Wrapping up the two hour gala was the recital of a poem expressing the dreams of modern college students. A finale, performed by all of the students, displayed their deep affection for their country.