As dragon boat race events heat up across Guangdong, the large-scale original contemporary dance drama "Dragon Boat" was performed at the Guangdong Friendship Theater on June 15th and 16th, showcasing the charm of Guangdong's traditional dragon boat culture. This production offered the audience a visual and auditory feast of strength and beauty.

"Dragon Boat," which took three years to plan and prepare, is rooted in the millennia-old dragon boat culture. It is the first reality-based drama in China to interpret this cultural heritage. The drama is based on the historical foundation of Lingnan dragon boat culture and is set against the backdrop of cultural integration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. It tells the story of a female coach, Li Jianjian, who is tasked with assembling a dragon boat team for an upcoming international competition. She gathers talented young people from the Greater Bay Area and across the country to represent China, and they overcome numerous challenges to bring honor to the country. The story highlights the contemporary spirit of Chinese youth working together in unity.

In 2022, "Dragon Boat" began its tour in Shunde, Guangdong, before embarking on a nationwide tour performance. It was also performed three times at the National Centre for the Performing Arts from September 1st to 3rd, 2023, to great acclaim. This return to the Guangzhou stage, featuring the passionate "Shunde Dragon Boat" scene, has drawn many spectators eager to experience dragon boat culture.

Chief Director Qian Xin told reporters that the dragon boat is an indispensable cultural element in the Lingnan region, and Guangdong dragon boat athletes have excelled in world-class competitions. "Reflecting dragon boat culture and the emotions and lives of dragon boat athletes was our original intention in creating this drama," he said.

To accurately capture the essence of Chinese dragon boat culture, the creative team conducted dozens of field trips over three years to places like Shunde. They visited local dragon boat museums, associations, and training bases, and interviewed inheritors of dragon boat rap traditions. The actors, initially unfamiliar with paddling, learned to row in unison, embodying the spirit of dragon boating. This spirit was vividly brought to life on stage through dance.

"We have awakened lion dances and dragon boats in Guangdong. Every time we create a work, it deepens our understanding of Lingnan culture. This is very meaningful for us young people," said Lead Actor Pang Guanyu.

At the performance venue, the reporter observed a small exhibition set up at the theater entrance, which features a lively and engaging painted scroll titled "Dragon Boat." This attracted many audiences to take a closer look. The scroll's creator, Luo Jikun, Vice Chairman of the Guangzhou Animation Artists Association, explained that the artwork took over a year to complete. It tells the story of the origins, customs, and evolution of Lingnan dragon boat culture to the audience. During its creation, Luo Jikun gathered a substantial amount of materials on South Guangdong dragon boats, striving to faithfully depict the history, culture, and traditions associated with them.

"I enjoy watching dragon boat races in Hunan and Guangzhou. This time, I had the chance to see the dance drama and explore the differences between dragon boat culture on stage and in real life. The intense scenes of the races and the impressive stage design were thrilling," said Mr. Sun, a spectator from Hunan.

Source :Yangcheng Evening News

【视频】舞剧《龙·舟》在广州再度高燃上演

在广东各地龙舟赛事活动如火如荼地开展之际，为充分展现广东传统龙舟文化魅力，6月15日、16日，大型原创当代舞剧《龙·舟》在广东省友谊剧院上演，为观众奉上一场力与美的视听盛宴。

《龙·舟》历时3年策划筹备，扎根千年龙舟文化，是国内首部诠释龙舟文化的现实题材剧目。该剧以岭南龙舟文化为历史根基，以粤港澳大湾区文化共融为时代背景，讲述国际龙舟大赛即将到来，女教练李尖尖奉命组建龙舟队，召集来自粤港澳大湾区及全国各地的优秀青年代表国家出战，一路劈波斩浪、奋勇向前，最终为国家争得荣誉的故事，展现出中国当代青年同舟共济的时代精神。

2022年，舞剧《龙·舟》在顺德开启广东省内巡演，随后开展全国巡演，并曾于2023年9月1日至3日登上国家大剧院连演三场，反响良好。本次再度回归广州的剧场，以激情澎湃的“顺德龙舟”搅动剧场气氛，吸引众多观众前来感受龙舟文化。

《龙·舟》总编导钱鑫接受记者采访时表示，龙舟是岭南地区不可或缺的文化元素，广东龙舟人在世界级赛事中也大放异彩，“反映龙舟文化，以及龙舟人的情感和生活，是我们创作的初衷。”

为了准确把握中华龙舟文化的精髓，主创团队在3年间数十次到顺德等地采风、参观当地龙舟博物馆、龙舟协会、龙舟训练基地，拜访龙舟说唱非遗传承人。演员们从不会握桨到落桨一致龙舟齐驱向前，主创团队也找到了让龙舟精神以一种更饱满、更鲜活的样式传承发展，并最终以舞蹈的形式在舞台上精彩呈现。

“我们广东有醒狮、龙舟，每排一部作品，都会增加一项我们对岭南文化的理解。这对我们年轻人来说是很有意义的事情。”主演庞冠宇说。

记者在演出现场看到，剧场入口处还搭起一个小型展览，展出生动富有趣味的喷绘长卷《龙舟》，吸引不少观众上前观赏。长卷作者、广州市动漫艺术家协会副主席罗计坤介绍，这幅长图酝酿1年多完成，向观演的观众讲述岭南龙舟起源习俗和传承演变。创作期间，罗计坤大量搜集南粤龙舟素材，力图还原南粤龙舟历史文化和风俗习惯。

“我喜欢看湖南和广州的龙舟比赛。这次有机会来观看舞剧，感受舞台上的龙舟文化与现实中有什么不同。龙舟比赛的紧张场面和震撼人心的舞美让我心情激动。”来自湖南的观众孙先生说。

文｜记者 陈晓楠 詹锡伟
图、视频｜记者 刘畅（除署名外）
译｜刘佳慧