Chinese Rite Of Spring To Visit 2019 Edinburgh International Festival

Today the Edinburgh International Festival revealed it will present Chinese choreographer Yang Liping's Rite of Spring as part of the 2019 International Festival.

The production will be staged at the Festival Theatre 22-24 August 2019. Tickets will go on sale in March next year along with the full 2019 Festival programme.

The production offers a new interpretation of Igor Stravinsky's iconic ballet, from China's leading choreographer and dancer Yang Liping. Liping blends Chinese folk dance with contemporary choreography, and takes inspiration from Chinese symbols of nature. The piece uses Stravinsky's original music and a specially created new score, inspired by traditional Chinese music.

Yang Liping is a National First-class dancer and the vice chairman of China Dancers Association. A household name in China, she won nationwide fame for her performance of her first original dance piece Spirit of the Peacock in 1986. Since then, Liping's performances have received huge acclaim, both in China and internationally. Rite of Spring is her second contemporary dance piece following the success of her previous work Under Siege, which received widespread critical acclaim at its European premiere in London in 2016.

The announcement was made during a visit to China by International Festival Managing Director Joanna Baker who met with officials from Yang Liping's Peacock Dance Company and Shanghai International Arts Festival. The visit builds on previous commitments by the International Festival to collaborate with colleagues in China to bring leading Chinese artists and companies to Edinburgh.

This meeting coincided with a wider visit by led by Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to promote the growing economic, cultural and educational links between Scotland and China. A short film introducing the Rite of Spring and its visit to Edinburgh also formed part of a 'Scotland Is Now' reception in Shanghai, which celebrated contemporary Scotland as an innovative, creative and inclusive nation, and a vibrant place to live, work and visit.

Joanna Baker, Managing Director of the Edinburgh International Festival said: 'We are thrilled to bring this remarkable reworking of the Rite of Spring to Edinburgh, marking the International Festival debut of Yang Liping. Yang is a superstar choreographer in China - she embodies a unique fusion of ancient and modern Chinese traditions, and it's exciting to showcase her work in Edinburgh where it can be enjoyed by dance fans from all over the world. We look forward to welcoming Yang and the Rite of Spring company to the 2019 International Festival'.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: 'I am pleased that an agreement has been reached to bring this wonderful performance to Edinburgh. Yang Liping is a world-renowned choreographer and I am certain it will be one of the highlights of next year's Edinburgh International Festival. This is a perfect example of the strong cultural links that exist between Scotland and China. I will be seeking to build on these throughout my visit this week.'