November 12 2009

Chinese dance and arts troupe to perform at Troy Campus

TROY—When the Dance and Arts Troupe of Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology visits TROY on Nov. 19 for a performance in the Claudia Crosby Theater, one student from the People’s Republic of China will be ready to meet them.

Mandi Shi, a Chinese student from Hebei Normal University, has been on the Troy Campus for more than a year as part of the University’s 1-2-1 dual degree program.

“I’ll be proud to be able to show them my life in Troy,” she said. “Especially the football game on the 21st – I’d like to introduce the most popular game in America to them.”

The troupe, brought to the Troy Campus by the Confucius Institute at Troy University, will perform traditional folk dances, music and martial arts demonstrations. The performance begins at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public. The troupe will perform during the day in schools around Troy.

“Troy University, through its Confucius Institute, is delighted to sponsor the Chinese folk dance and music ensemble from Hebei  Normal University of Science and Technology (HNUST),” said Dr. Earl Ingram, Vice Chancellor for TROY’s Global Campus.  “With its Confucius Institute partner institution HNUST, located in Qinhuangdao, China, TROY strives to promote appreciation of Chinese language and culture throughout Alabama, as well as develop economic opportunities between Alabama and China.”

The Dance and Arts Troupe is made up of students and teachers at Hebei Normal University of Science Technology. The university is located in the Hebei Province of the People’s Republic of China and has more than 30,000 students.

“The troupe will share traditional Chinese costumes, customs and stories through the performances,” said Dr. Iris Hong Xu, director of the Confucius Institute at TROY. “They also hope to reach all members of the community about this part of the Chinese culture.”

A sentiment echoed by Shi, the chance to share with Pike County a slice of Chinese culture presents options for both the viewers and the performers.

“I think the most important point in their coming is that this will be a great chance for Americans to understand Chinese culture directly through their own eyes rather than from TV or newspapers,” she said.

“They must be very excited about coming to Troy University. The beautiful campus, our warm-hearted residents and comfortable climate will leave them lots of unforgettable memories. I’ll feel less homesick with them here, but I am happy that they will have the same wonderful experience here as mine.”

The Confucius Institute at TROY is the only Confucius Institute in Alabama and part of a global network of more than 204 Confucius Institutes in 50 countries dedicated to the promotion and development of Chinese language education, and cultural and business exchange with the People’s Republic of China.

 

 

Members of the Dance and Arts Troupe of Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology perform a Mongolian dance. The Dance and Arts Troupe will give a performance at 7 p.m. Nov. 19 in the Claudia Crosby Theater. The event is sponsored by the Confucius Institute at Troy University and is free and open to the public.