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[Photo/www.baidu.com]
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Some researchers say that China's guangchangwu, an activity in which people gather together in public places such as squares and plazas and dance the night away, can be traced back to ancient collective sacrifices, while others consider the newer yangge folk dance movement of the 1940s in Yan'an, Shaanxi Province, as a better starting point behind the popularity of today's outdoor dance craze.
Most people aged around or over 50 in China experienced a time during the Cultural Revolution (1966-76) when everyone across the country was gathering together in public spaces to perform zhongziwu, or the "loyalty dance," everyone standing side by side, dressed the same and synchronizing their moves in a neighborhood-wide large scale performance. For many people, taking part in some kind of performance at school or work has become a common memory shared by many middle-aged people in the country.
Perhaps this is why so many middle-aged and elderly citizens in China enjoy taking part in group activities so much. Growing up studying and working in a collective group, singing and dancing together is a nostalgic way for them to pursue the days of their youth.
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These activities in which people gather together to dance can be either formal or informal. Some groups are organized by local communities as a sport activity for senior citizens, while some groups spontaneously form all on their own. The monthly membership fee for joining a guangchangwu group is usually very cheap, less than 50 yuan ($8) for the most part. Some groups dance in the same place everyday, while some places are shared by different groups that take turns dancing during different days of the week.
Middle-aged people who find themselves needing a break from being cramped up all day with their spouse or find themselves being gradually alienated by their children are able to find something in common with others who gather in public parks and plazas. Housewives and retired folk also get a chance to socialize and make friends in these groups. You can see them getting together in the mornings before lunch, or in the evenings after supper. Some groups gather according to taste in music, with groups dedicated to jazz, disco and even the newest pop sensations.
It's not all about dance. With groups ranging in size from the usual 25 people to larger groups of more than 200, guangchangwu makes for the perfect chance to broaden one's social circle. As people come together they soon find common topics to talk about, spouses, children and grandchildren, the price of vegetables or the latest neighborhood gossip. Some even use this time for more serious matters, like trying to find a job for a nephew, setting up their son with a nice girlfriend, or for some widowers who are tired of being alone, rekindle the flames of romance.
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