Ba Wang Bian – Ancestral Dialogues, a dance performance by Maya Jilan Dong, took place on September 25 at the Old Olive Mill Amphitheater in Eleusis. This production was part of Mystery 299: 2nd International Symposium for a New Eleusis, organized in collaboration with the 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture. The performance paid homage to the endangered folk culture of Yunnan, China, and intertwined it with the myth of Persephone, thus linking ancient Greek and Chinese traditions.
Choreographed and performed by Maya Jilan Dong, the piece melded traditional Bai folk dances from Yunnan with modern themes, emphasizing humanity’s growth, memory, and longing. While not directly following Persephone’s myth, it drew from the eternal bond between mother and daughter, symbolizing timeless human cycles. This interaction urged audiences to reconsider humanity’s essence and envision a more connected future. The performance was curated by Farooq Chaudhry, co-founder of the Akram Khan Company.
Produced by Attiki Cultural Society and Fengling Productions, Ba Wang Bian was a key event at the three-day symposium, themed Mysteries of Flourishing: Ancient Roots – Modern Blossoms, held from September 25 to 27 at the Iris paint factory in Eleusis. This symposium explored cultural dialogues, with roots in the Aristotelian ideal of Eudaimonia.
Maya Jilan Dong, from the Bai ethnic group, trained under renowned choreographer Yang Liping and has performed in Yang’s notable works. Farooq Chaudhry, a globally recognized producer, supported the production, bringing his expertise from collaborations with renowned artists and institutions worldwide.
The production featured vocal performance by Fumei Zhang, music by Joanne Sy, and stage elements including lighting by Fabiana Piccioli, costume design by Marie Cantenys, and additional adaptations for the outdoor setting of Eleusis. The event was co-produced by the Akram Khan Company and Sadler’s Wells London, with support from the World Human Forum.
Cast:
- Concept and Stage Adaptation: Farooq Chaudhry
- Choreography and Performance: Maya Jilan Dong
- Singing: Fumei Zhang
- Composer/Musician: Joanne Sy
- Lighting Design: Fabiana Piccioli
- Lighting Adaptation: Zak Macro
- Costume Design: Marie Cantenys
Press Kit here
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