The 7th Anhui Provincial Folk Acrobatics Art Festival Grandly Opens in Linquan

The 7th Anhui Provincial Folk Acrobatics Art Festival was grandly held at the Linquan County Sports Center on the afternoon of November 22. Presented with the involvement of the Fuyang Media Group and themed “Art Gathering in the Hometown of Jiang Shang, Enjoying the New Rhyme of Acrobatics,” the festival aimed to consolidate Linquan’s status as the “Hometown of Chinese Folk Acrobatics” through the deep integration of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and acrobatic arts, injecting strong cultural momentum into the Rural Revitalization strategy.

Opening Ceremony of the 7th Anhui Folk Acrobatics Festival

ICH Warm-up Performance: Zhouge/Taige High-Stilt Parade

ICH Warm-up Performance: Dragon Dance

A 50-minute ICH warm-up performance kicked off the event prior to the opening ceremony. The national-level ICH item Zhouge/Taige High-Stilt Parade made a stunning appearance, with performers demonstrating exquisite balancing skills high above the crowd, drawing waves of enthusiastic cheers. County-level ICH programs such as the Dragon Dance, Lion Dance, the Stubborn Donkey folk act, and the Dry Boat performance took turns on stage, vividly embodying Linquan’s unique cultural DNA with their authentic local flavor and humorous interaction, quickly setting an energetic tone for the event.

Shoulder Ballet: Starlight

Heroic Monument

Head-Balanced Chairs

Drum Juggling

Following the opening ceremony, the artistic performances unfolded systematically across three sections, offering a cultural and visual feast. The event gathered top acrobatic troupes from Anhui, Shandong, Guangzhou, and Sichuan, presenting nine elite acrobatic acts along with opening and closing dances.

The program “Shoulder Ballet: Starlight” seamlessly merged grace and strength, while the acrobatic drama “Heroic Monument” paid tribute to the revolutionary spirit, resonating with local red culture. Classic acts such as “Head-Balanced Chairs” and “Drum Juggling” demonstrated a solid mastery of traditional techniques.

Notably, local institutions presented programs including “Rookies of Acrobatics” and “Brick-Breaking on Swinging High Stilts.” These acts showcased the exceptional skills of the new generation of performers, combining traditional acrobatic techniques with modern stage expression, highlighting the vitality of Linquan acrobatics in “upholding tradition, pioneering innovation, and passing the torch.”

Audience Applauding at the Venue

More than 8,000 attendees—including industry experts, exemplary representatives, and 3,000 netizens who obtained tickets online—expressed enthusiastic responses, with applause and cheers echoing throughout the venue. The diverse audience fully experienced the unique charm of their hometown cultural brand.

As a central platform for folk acrobatics exchange, the festival not only enriched the public’s spiritual and cultural life but also deepened the link between ICH inheritance and acrobatic arts. Its successful staging provides sustained momentum for the integrated development of culture and tourism, further strengthening Linquan’s cultural brand and contributing to local cultural progress.

(by Jin Muyu)