Chinese performers are shining at Scotland's Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world's largest performing arts event featuring over 3,500 artists from nearly 60 countries around the world.
Themed "Rituals That Unite Us", this year's festival, running from Aug 2 to 26, showcases a diverse array of performances including music, theater, comedy and dance by artists ranging from emerging talents to established stars.
The China Culture and Arts Festival, returning after a three-year hiatus, is enriching the festival with a variety of unique shows.
"The Chinese-Scottish link is very important. It's in many ways more important than it's ever been. We have a great Chinese community in Edinburgh but also the festivals are a platform for showing the best in all cultures. So it's an opportunity to both educate and entertain," said Donald Wilson, former Lord Provost of Edinburgh, who introduced this year's Chinese performances.
Performers from the Shanghai Yuguo Students' Art Troupe, which aims to develop youngsters' artistic accomplishments, captivated festival audiences with traditional dances and unique musical instruments like the bamboo flute as part of the opening ceremony of the China-Britain Culture and Art Festival, organized by Asian Association of Culture, Commerce and Education in Europe.
"I have never played my instrument outside China. I felt very excited and magical. I want to introduce Chinese music to everyone," said Zou Chenyang, a bamboo flautist with the Art Troupe.
In a break from tradition, the bamboo flute quartet re-imagined the theme from the West End musical, The Phantom of the Opera.
"It's nice to come back, for the young artists to come back to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It's important for them, for the international stage and audience. They are not just performers, they also build a bridge for culture and art exchanges," said Jessica Huijie, the organizer of China-Britain Culture and Art Festival.
Highlighting cultural diversity, Chinese dancers were followed by students from Gordon Dance School, showcasing traditional Highland Scottish dances.
"I think it's really good. It's nice how we put the different styles together and show that there's difference between Chinese and Highland dancing," said Lucy Ballantrae, a student at the Gordon Dance School.
Chinese performers bridge China, Scotland through power of art at Edinburgh Fringe
