One of China’s most creative dance festivals is here with a 2-week long schedule. The event includes dance workshops and performances from major international and national dance troupes. CCTV reporter Yue Xu is there to experience some workshops taught by renowned choreographers from all over the world.

Modern dance is often described as abstract art. Its sense of organized chaos along with abnormal use of the body is what draws more and more dancers to the art form. In China, whether you’re a professional or an amateur, anybody who has a passion for modern dance now has a platform to gather and celebrate. Every year, the Beijing Modern Dance Festival attracts more and more enthusiasts from all over the world. The event is a co-production between BeijingDance/LDTX, the Guangdong Modern Dance Company, and the Hong Kong City Contemporary Dance Company.

One of China’s most creative dance festivals is here with a 2-week long schedule.The event includes dance workshops and performances from major international and national dance troupes.

And for the second year now, participants can partake in a week long dance camp taught by international modern dance experts. This year’s workshops have attracted just around 200 students. With 20 talented instructors, I decided to try out a few workshops myself.

Yue Xu, Beijing, said, “Modern dance is often considered the most intellectual dance form because it draws upon so many elements, such as social commentary, cultural influences, spontaneous reactions, as well as creative interpretations. It’s considered one of the most difficult dances to learn because unlike technique which can be taught and perfected, the movements are guided by feelings, and emotions. If you can feel it here, you will do well here.”

And this emotional connection is exactly what instructor Miquel de Jong preaches. The modern dance veteran from Holland believes that movement is actually secondary.