On October 21, the Dance Competition of the 35th WHU Autumn Art Festival was held on Meiyuan Playground.

With the sudden roar coming from the expectant crowd as the spotlights were turned on, two hosts stepped onto the stage, announcing the official commencement of the Dance Competition of the 35th WHU Autumn Art Festival, the beginning of a grand visual and sensory feast.

Opening ceremony of the Golden Autumn Dance Competition

Scene from Erguna River

In Erguna River, a young lady loses herself in a dance under the flickering moonlight. Her graceful posture resembles a swan, casting a delicate shadow on the empty, quiet ground. Each step she takes seems to blend seamlessly with the rhythm of the water,  leaving an impressive scene of harmony and serenity for the audience to cherish.

Scene from The Tibetan Plateau Awakening

When the first ray of sunshine shines upon the Tibetan plateau, a group of Tibetan girls gracefully dances with the rising sun. Their fancy footwork creates a fascinating illusion of a cluster of cheerful spirits swinging in tune with the upbeat music.

The Intoxicating Jade Lotus

In Intoxicating Jade Lotus, twelve jade-like girls imitate the movement of lotus leaves and flowers. They remain unperturbed by the muddy and moist surroundings, mirroring the resilience and purity of lotuses, always rising above challenges with grace and integrity.

Scene from Shadow of the Ba Woman

Shadow of the Ba Woman is a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of the Ba ethnic group, which left the audience in awe of their strong artistry and storyline. The dancers moved with perfect synchrony, their bodies flowing like water, vividly depicting the daily life and rituals of the Ba people.

Scene from Paper Fan Literati

In the Paper Fan Literati, young scholars from ancient times convey their passions and thoughts in the movements of their folding fans, humorously bringing out the contrast between the elegance and wildness of ancient literati.

Scene from Letters

In Letters, led by rhythmic drum beats, the dancers used their sleeves to weave a dynamic landscape  around the ink and blank spaces of a canvas.

                                                              Scene from Chivalrous Swordsman

In Chivalrous Swordsman, with each strike, the dancers embodied the essence of martial arts, their movements an intricate dance of power and finesse.

Despite being immersed in the breadth of ancient Chinese culture, the audience were refreshingly surprised by the instantaneous switch toward a new theme -- the modern days.

Scene from The Age of Awakening

In The Age of Awakening, dancers narrate stories of the advancing young people facing a most tremendous crisis in Chinese history. After discovering profound truth, they spread their message like wild fire in the hope of awakening people across the country,  passing it down to the live audience as well.

Scene from Today

In Today, featuring uniform and neat gesture dance, the dancers depicted a cherished friendship from youth to grave. It inspired spectators with the inspiration to seize the day as long as we are on our way.

Scene from Our Songs

In Our Songs, dancers wearing a long white or black dress symbolizing the black and white keys of a piano expressed the progression of the music through fluttering skirts and rhythmic movements. The music went soothing and intense by turns, just like people’s youth, containing both harmony and conflict.

                                                              Scene from The Greatest Showman

In The Greatest Showman, we were invited to a marvelous circus show. Regardless of all kinds of discriminatory side looks from society, the performers stood up and fought against tremendous obstacles with the beauty of diversity.

Support crews preparing for the contest

Thanks to all the effort made by both dancers under the spotlight and support crews who devoted themselves behind the stage, the 35th Golden Autumn Dance Contest successfully rang down the curtains. Just as the saying goes, ”Dance is your pulse, your heartbeat, your breath. It’s the rhythm of your life. By showing one’s attitude within a dance, one can find pure pleasure in life, physically as well as mentally.”

When another summer ends and golden leaves fall, Luojia Hill will welcome its owners with wide-open arms once more. Then echoes of cheers and applause will fill every corner of Wuhan University again.

Photo by Lin Yangjie, Zhang Juchen, Yashgin, Zhang Ziyao

Edited by Yang Caiyi, Cao Hangqian