Nostalgia in Minnesota: Tongliang Dragon Dance Staged in Minnesota

On September 26th,,the serial events “Experiencing Chongqing:2022 Mid-Autumn City Promotion Tour in the United States”and “Cultural China: Nostalgia in Minnesota” jointly hosted by the Minnesota Chinese Association,Minnesota Huaxing Art Troupe,the Chinese American Association of Minnesota,and Minnesota Overseas Chinese Service Center,were held simultaneously at the Mall of America in Minnesota,United States,participated by over 50 local Chinese communities and other ethnic groups.

Zhao Jian,Consul-General of China in Chicago;Dean Phillips,Member of the U.S.House of Representatives;Eric Pratt,State Senator;Nicole Joy Frethem,Governor of Ramsey County;Kelly Moller,State Councilor;Sia Her,Director of Asian Affairs of Minnesota;and Yan Bingwen,Chairman of Minnesota Chinese Association,attended the opening ceremony.

“The Mid-Autumn Festival is an important traditional festival in China to celebrate family reunion and good harvest.” One highlight of the event,as introduced by Zhao Jian,was the “Dragon Eye-Dotting” Ceremony.The Dragon Culture of Tongliang is one of China’s national intangible culturalheritages.In Chinese culture,the “dragon” symbolizes the national spirit of diligence,courage,entrepreneurship,and aspiration for a better life.The Tongliang Dragon is a gift from the Chinese people to the overseas Chinese community and all friends in Minnesota,which is believed to bring them good luck and encourage more people to work together for the further promotion of friendship and cooperation between the Chinese and American people.

北京時間9月26日，“感知重慶·2022中秋城市推廣美國行”和由明尼蘇達華聯會、明尼蘇達華星藝術團、明州中美聯誼會和明尼蘇達華助中心等聯合主辦的“文化中國：明州月·故鄉情”系列活動，在美國明尼蘇達州美國商城同步舉行，當地50多個華人社團和其他族裔團體共同參與。

開幕式上，中國駐芝加哥總領事趙建、美聯邦眾議員Dean Phillips、州參議員Eric Pratt、拉姆西縣郡長Nicole Joy Frethem、州議員Kelly Moller、明州亞州事務主任Sia Her、明州華聯會主席顏炳文等出席。

Zhao Jian,Consul-General of China in Chicago,and Dean Phillips,Member of the U.S.House of Representatives,dotted the eyes for the Tongliang Dragon.中國駐芝加哥總領事趙建和聯邦眾議員Dean Phillips為“銅梁龍”點睛。

The brilliant performance of the Minnesota Dragon Dance Team.明州鼓樂龍獅隊精彩的表演。

“中秋節是中國重要的傳統節日，大家在金秋季節闔家團聚，歡慶豐收。”趙建介紹，此次活動的一大亮點是重慶銅梁龍“神龍點睛”儀式。銅梁龍舞是中國國家級非物質文化遺產之一，“龍”在中華文化中象征著勤勞勇敢、積極奮進、創造更美好生活的民族精神。“這條銅梁龍是中國人民送給明州華人社區和所有明州朋友們的禮物，相信銅梁龍會給明州華人社區和明州民眾帶來好運，也希望鼓勵更多人攜手致力于進一步促進中美兩國人民間的友誼與合作。”

It is reported that more than 300 cultural exchange events on Tongliang Dragon Dance have been carried out in over 30 countries and regions including the United States,the United Kingdom,France,Australia,Singapore.The uniquely charming Tongliang Dragon Dance has been shared to audiences all over the world.It showed on the stage of Times Square New Year’s Eve Celebration in 2018 and 2019.Meanwhile,on August 23rdthis year,a set of Tongliang Dragon Dance equipment has been shipped from Chongqing to Minnesota for one month,supported by the Chongqing International Culture Association.That will represent the friendship between Chongqing and State of Minnesota to be a member of Alliance of Minnesota Chinese Organizations.The excellent Chinese traditional culture will be shared widely overseas by the Minnesota Dragon Dance Team with the equipment.The guests joined the grand traditional Chinese eye-dotting ceremony.

The events including “Chongqing City Image Exhibition” and “Tongliang Dragon Dance Performance”,as part of the “Experiencing Chongqing:2022 Mid-Autumn City Promotion Tour in the United States”,will also be held.Particularly,the “Chongqing City Image Exhibition” will show the outstanding photographs of the city,for online LED and offline thematic exhibitions at the Mall of America and long-term exhibitions at the Minnesota Overseas Chinese Service Center.Since 2018,Chongqing has been carrying out city promotion events in Minnesota.And the Chongqing-Minnesota exchange will continue in the event this year to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two cities and expand the network of international friends for Chongqing.

Source/Official WeChat Account of Chongqing Foreign Affairs

銅梁龍舞已遠赴美國、英國、法國、澳大利亞、新加坡等30多個國家和地區開展300余場文化交流，向全世界觀眾展現銅梁龍舞獨特的藝術魅力。2018年、2019年連續兩年登上美國紐約時報廣場新年倒計時盛典舞臺。此次，在重慶市對外交流協會的積極推動下，銅梁龍舞具于8月23日從重慶起運，歷時一個月到達明州，作為重慶與明尼蘇達州友誼的象征加入明州華聯會，和明州舞龍隊一起傳播中華優秀傳統文化。與會嘉賓按照中國傳統方式舉行了隆重的新龍點晴儀式。

作為“感知重慶·2022中秋城市推廣美國行”的一部分，“重慶城市影像展”“中華銅梁龍舞表演”等活動也同步展開。其中，“重慶城市影像展”帶來了重慶城市攝影師優秀作品，在美國商城進行線上LED、線下專題展覽，并在美國明尼蘇達州華助中心進行長期展覽。自2018年以來，重慶在美國明尼蘇達州連續開展城市推廣系列活動，此次活動延續了這一城際交往態勢，增進重慶與明州人民的相互了解，加深兩地友誼，擴大重慶的國際朋友圈。

銅梁龍聞名遐邇，早在明清時期，因其工藝制作的宏大奇巧，舞技表演的粗豪而聞名。銅梁龍舞是重慶市傳統舞蹈、國家級非物質文化遺產，它興起于明，鼎盛于清。銅梁龍舞包括龍燈舞和彩燈舞兩大系列。龍燈舞主要包括大蠕龍、火龍等十個品種，其中以大蠕龍最有特色；彩燈舞主要包括魚躍龍門、泥鰍吃湯圓等十二個品種。