Dance drama Odes to Heroes (Yingge) brings traditional Lingnan culture back to stage

Yingge dance, literally meaning "Odes to Heroes," is a traditional folk dance from the Chaoshan region (including Chaozhou, Shantou, and Jieyang) of Guangdong, China. It is considered one of the most iconic representations of Lingnan culture. With its heroic themes, Yingge is also referred to as the traditional Chinese warrior dance. Known for its lively performances and striking visuals, it has gained increasing recognition both in China and worldwide.

To help more people appreciate the richness of Lingnan culture, the GuangzhouSong and Dance Theatre drew inspiration from Yingge and spent two years creating the dance drama Odes to Heroes. Told through the perspective of Chen Xinyuan, a young man from the Chaoshan region, the story unfolds a captivating tale of courage, family, romance, and dedication. After its debut at the Guangdong Friendship Theatre in Guangzhoufrom November 10 to 12, the dance drama received widespread acclaim and quickly went viral on Chinese social media, with tickets for its first public performances selling out in just three hours.