Dancers robed in flowing red costumes embroidered with gold and blue motifs swept across the stage to the plucked strains of the pipa and rawap in Shaw Auditorium, showcasing Xinjiang’s vibrant ethnic art through music, dance, and traditional instruments.
Presented on October 14 as part of HKUST’s 35th Anniversary celebrations, the one-hour show titled “Greetings from the Tianshan Mountains” featured performers from the Dance Academy and Music Academy of Xinjiang Arts University.
The Tianshan Mountains, which have long connected distinct ethnic groups across Xinjiang and Central Asia, added a fresh perspective to the diverse cultural experiences of the more than 400 students, faculty, and staff in attendance.
A Timeless Musical Legacy
Guided by the Bauhinia Culture Group and organized by the Hong Kong United Arts Entertainment Company Limited, the gala presented an excerpt from “Qebiyat Muqam,” the second suite in the Twelve Muqam. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, this classical musical treasure of the Uyghur people is widely celebrated as the “Mother of Uyghur Music.”
Weaving together poetry, dance, and soaring vocals, the excerpt told a story of resilience and solidarity even in the hardest of times, filling the Shaw Auditorium with a shared sense of warmth and joy.
The concert continued with a medley of instrumental and vocal performances featuring the distinctive sounds of Xinjiang’s cultural heritage. “Harvest,” a solo performance featuring the dap, a traditional Uyghur drum, captivated the audience with its contrasting rhythms. Folk songs such as “Why Are the Flowers So Red?”, “A Cup of Fine Wine,” “Send Me a Rose,” and “Horse Racing” further showcased the region’s musical diversity.
Beyond Uyghur traditions, a feast of ethnic minority arts transported the audience across Xinjiang. The Tajik dance “Affection for the Pamirs” and the Kazakh music “Spirit Feather” offered a glimpse into a much broader landscape of artistic expression, revealing a heritage far richer than any single performance could embrace.
The Spirit of Makit Through Dance
A high point of the evening was “McAití Under the Sun,” which has won the prestigious Lotus Award for Chinese Dance and the National Cultural Program Award. Hailed by the media as a "breakout sensation" in the dance world, this landmark work transcends traditional boundaries.
Displaying the dynamic shoulder shakes and powerful strides that characterize this particular dance, the performers moved with striking precision beneath warm orange lighting. Inspired by the resilience of grassroots communities in Makit County, located on the southwestern edge of the Taklamakan Desert, this piece brought together the traditional Uyghur dance “Dolan Muqam” and the traditional Han Chinese folk dance “Guzi Yangko,” with added contemporary dance elements.
Celebrating Diversity Through Cultural Exchange
The gala underscored how creativity transcends boundaries, bringing the HKUST community closer through meaningful exchange and a shared appreciation of diversity. Such cultural experiences enrich campus life and foster a more inclusive environment, where differences become opportunities for connection and understanding.
