| Acrobatics |
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Acrobatics in ancient China were a product of the
people and as such were interwoven with the people's
productive labor, daily life and religious ceremonies. For
instance, "Pole-Climbing" is based on the
movements of climbing trees and bamboo poles; and
"Balancing a Bamboo Pole,"
"Shuttlecocks" and "Diabolos" are
elaborations of folk games and sports. Over the long course
of their development, Chinese acrobatics have always been
imbued with an exuberant vitality thanks to their deep roots
in the soil of the people's life.
In 1950, the
first state acrobatic troupe, the China Acrobatic Troupe,
was organized. Soon afterward many local acrobatic troupes
were set up at all levels. Well-known professional acrobatic
troupes include the China Acrobatic Troupe, Shanghai
Acrobatic Troupe, Chongqing Acrobatic Troupe, Guangzhou
Soldiers' Acrobatic Troupe, Shenyang Acrobatic Troupe, and
Wuhan Acrobatic Troupe. They often travel far from their
bases to visit factories, mines and the countryside to
perform for the people and have been sent abroad to perform
in over 100 countries and regions. Many acrobatic
performances have won prizes at international acrobatic
performances and contests, such as "A Pagoda of
Bowls," "Plate Spinning," "Cup
Rolling," "Kicking Feats," "Jumping
Through Hoops," "Conjuring,"
"Diabolos," "Lion Dance," "Trick
Cycling," "Juggling with the Flower Jar,"
"Magic," "Hard Qigong" and "Drawing
Five Bows."
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