Da Tang Xi Shi Temple Fair in Xi'an
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The stage was placed in front of the nearly completed Da Tang Xi Shi – a tall building in the traditional Tang style, with the iconic sweeping rooflines. The opening ceremony commenced with a number of performances, including some energetic drumming by girls who looked much too dainty to be beating the big drums with such vigor.
Other performers appeared on stage dressed in beautiful traditional costumes, although I felt very sorry for some of the girls who were dressed in clothes that would have been fine in summer but were no protection against the chilly day and lightly falling snow. They bravely continued their performance despite the cold.
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The performers dressed as the Xi'an City Walls. Photo: Deborah Howard |
One group of men dressed as the Xi'an City Walls, with replicas of the Gate Towers as headpieces had better luck – those costumes would have been warmer. Again lovely women appeared, with headpieces representing the most important buildings in Xi'an – the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Big and Little Wild Goose Pagodas. Others represented a modern marching version of the Terracotta Warriors, with bright red and gold costumes.
At the end of the opening ceremony, the confetti canon released sprays of confetti into the air covering the stage and making the newly built Da Tang Xi Shi in the background glitter.
One of the highlights was a traditional dancing display in the square by the 'fan' dancers and the 'umbrella' dancers. These colorful groups performed to traditional drumming and their warm smiles certainly warmed up the crowd. They were accompanied by a couple of Chinese clowns, who contrived to make the audience laugh with their prancing about.
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The lion and dragon dance performance. Photo: Deborah Howard |
My favorite section of any Chinese performances is when the dragon and the lions appear and dance for us. Several lions pranced about the square, tossing their heads at the crowd. The long dragon, rising and falling as he wove his way around the square, was a crowd pleaser, especially with the little ones.
Of course it wouldn't be a New Year Temple Fair without some appropriate animals – and we were visited by 3 tigers, happy to have their photographs taken and even enjoying having their tails pulled – which I am sure their wild counterparts would not accept laughingly!!
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