Chinese Acrobatics Show “Flying Fairy” Debuts Successfully in Athens, Shines at Christmas Theater

Athens, November 22 (Local Time) – Invited by the Sino-Hellenic International Theatre Festival, the Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe of China presented its renowned acrobatics show Flying Fairy at Athens Christmas Theater. As a key cultural exchange event between China and Greece, the premiere attracted nearly 2,000 spectators. The performance showcased the pinnacle of Chinese acrobatic artistry through thrilling yet elegant acts such as “Ballet on Shoulders,” “Aerial Silk Dance,” and “Double Carpet Spinning.” Blending traditional Chinese aesthetics with Western classical beauty, the show offered Athenian audiences a unique cultural feast.

A Night of Excellence and Applause

The evening featured 12 captivating acts, each demonstrating outstanding technical and artistic brilliance. Highlights included:

• “Soft Wire – Tai Chi”: Combining the balance of tightrope walking with the grace of Tai Chi, this act portrayed the harmony of strength and softness. The performers’ fluid movements on the tightrope mesmerized the audience. This act previously won the top honor, the French President’s Prize, at the 41st Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in France.
• “Collective Diabolo – Butterfly Romance”: Inspired by the Chinese love legend The Butterfly Lovers, performers manipulated spinning diabolo props like fluttering butterflies, creating a mesmerizing and poetic visual narrative.
• “Rolling Hoop – Drunken Hero”: Featuring traditional Chinese martial arts, this act merged the dynamic moves of drunken boxing with rolling hoop techniques. The seamless integration of power and agility left the audience in awe.
• “Double Carpet Spinning – A Love Eternal”: Inspired by the classic romance from A Chinese Odyssey, this act depicted a tale of love and perseverance through high-difficulty movements, deeply touching the hearts of the audience.
• “Ballet on Shoulders – Swan Excerpt”: The closing act perfectly fused the elegance of ballet with the daring artistry of acrobatics. Hailed as “graceful acrobatics, breathtaking ballet,” this act has won numerous accolades, including the Golden Lion Award and the Golden Clown Award, the highest honor in international acrobatics.

A Standing Ovation from the Greek Audience

The performance concluded with resounding applause and cheers from the audience, who gave the artists a standing ovation. Many excitedly shouted “Bravo!” A mother clapping enthusiastically with her child described the performers as “magicians,” while her child mimicked the diabolo moves in delight.

Spectators gathered after the show to share their excitement. “This is more than acrobatics; it’s a stunning art form!” one exclaimed. Others eagerly searched for more information about the Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe, intrigued by their dazzling performance.

A Greek cultural expert praised the show as “a perfect fusion of Eastern and Western aesthetics, a dual feast for the senses and the spirit, and the most beautiful dialogue between civilizations.”

Sino-Hellenic International Theatre Festival Press Conference

Before the premiere, the Sino-Hellenic International Theatre Festival held its 2024-2025 press conference at the venue.

George Kakavas, Director of Greece’s Ministry of Culture’s Department of Contemporary Art Management, highlighted the profound cultural ties between China and Greece despite the geographic distance. He commended the festival’s role in fostering cultural exchanges between the two nations.

Wang Ying, Cultural Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Greece, conveyed greetings from Chinese Ambassador Fang Qiu to the performers. She emphasized the deepening cooperation and cultural exchange between the two countries as a model of mutual learning and a contribution to the shared future of humanity.

Jannis Theofanopoulos, President of the Greece-China Friendship Association, expressed his delight at witnessing the treasures of Chinese art in Greece and noted the importance of such cultural exchanges in strengthening bilateral friendship.

Irene Moundraki, Head of the Drama Department of the National Theatre of Greece, congratulated the festival for its success in facilitating artistic exchanges. She looked forward to the Greek National Theatre’s production of Orestia, directed by renowned Greek director Theodoros Terzopoulos, being performed in China next year under the festival’s platform.

Wu Zhengdan, Head of the Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe, introduced the troupe’s efforts in bridging Eastern and Western cultures. She expressed hope that the selected highlights from productions such as Butterfly and Swan would offer Greek audiences an extraordinary “Chinese acrobatics show.”

A Milestone in Cultural Exchange

As an integral part of the Sino-Hellenic International Theatre Festival, the performance aims to enhance cultural ties and friendship between the two nations through artistic exchange. The successful premiere lays a solid foundation for upcoming performances and adds a new chapter to the global promotion of Chinese culture.

Flying Fairy will continue to enthrall Athens audiences with several more performances in the coming days.