When you think of the word, culture, what comes to mind? For some, it means identity. Others who accept Henry Kissinger’s argument, that China finds exceptionalism in culture while America pursues ‘freedom’ and ‘human rights’ with missionary zeal, culture defines values. When I think of Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, (with due respect of course) I think of pockets of Chinese culture bifurcated during heights of Chinese civilization. Chinatowns throughout the world are time-capsules of Chinese culture too. A good friend of mine who was born in Vietnam once told me he was more ‘Chinese’ than me!
Today, I was thoroughly impressed by Chinese folk dance performances done by very young students of the accomplished Jun Lu Performing Arts Academy. Jun Lu is very much keeping this aspect of Chinese culture alive in the San Francisco Bay Area Chinese American community. I applaud her. I applaud the parents and students who dedicate time to these wonderful arts. Below are some pictures I took.
zack says
nice update, yinyang; and beautiful pics as well.
it is indeed important to honour and remember cultural traditions; it struck me that similar to the US concept that”anyone could become an American” so too with China and the Chinese. Anyone can be “Chinese” if they follow the Confucian ideal of the Honourable Gentleman and/or honour their ancestors in a similar way. There have even been American Confucianists during the 20th century to today.
Si says
it’s all chinese minorities culture/dances.
Nihc says
@Si
How can you tell its a ‘minority dance’ when the costumes are “generic oriental” style and the pictures barely give a hint to what the dances are. Only the little boy (I am assuming that kid is a boy) in the first picture is wearing something close to a Qing dynasty Changshan.
Are you just a troll like those on Youtube claiming that Chinese models are ethnic Manchu?
dan says
So? What is wrong with Chinese ‘minorities’? they are all Chinese.
YinYang says
@zack
Thx.
@Folks – please lighten up a bit. I happen to know Jun Lu teaches “folk” dance. Now that I think about it, I really don’t know what that “folk” means. 🙂
The performances were excellent and I thoroughly enjoyed watching them. Each performance tells some story, and that was as much I could gather being illiterate in this sort of thing.
I also relish in opportunities to photograph.