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.

北京时间9月26日，“感知重庆·2022中秋城市推广美国行”和由明尼苏达华联会、明尼苏达华星艺术团、明州中美联谊会和明尼苏达华助中心等联合主办的“文化中国：明州月·故乡情”系列活动，在美国明尼苏达州美国商城同步举行，当地50多个华人社团和其他族裔团体共同参与。

开幕式上，中国驻芝加哥总领事赵建、美联邦众议员Dean Phillips、州参议员Eric Pratt、拉姆西县郡长Nicole Joy Frethem、州议员Kelly Moller、明州亚州事务主任Sia Her、明州华联会主席颜炳文等出席。

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.中国驻芝加哥总领事赵建和联邦众议员Dean Phillips为“铜梁龙”点睛。

The brilliant performance of the Minnesota Dragon Dance Team.明州鼓乐龙狮队精彩的表演。

“中秋节是中国重要的传统节日，大家在金秋季节阖家团聚，欢庆丰收。”赵建介绍，此次活动的一大亮点是重庆铜梁龙“神龙点睛”仪式。铜梁龙舞是中国国家级非物质文化遗产之一，“龙”在中华文化中象征着勤劳勇敢、积极奋进、创造更美好生活的民族精神。“这条铜梁龙是中国人民送给明州华人社区和所有明州朋友们的礼物，相信铜梁龙会给明州华人社区和明州民众带来好运，也希望鼓励更多人携手致力于进一步促进中美两国人民间的友谊与合作。”

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

铜梁龙舞已远赴美国、英国、法国、澳大利亚、新加坡等30多个国家和地区开展300余场文化交流，向全世界观众展现铜梁龙舞独特的艺术魅力。2018年、2019年连续两年登上美国纽约时报广场新年倒计时盛典舞台。此次，在重庆市对外交流协会的积极推动下，铜梁龙舞具于8月23日从重庆起运，历时一个月到达明州，作为重庆与明尼苏达州友谊的象征加入明州华联会，和明州舞龙队一起传播中华优秀传统文化。与会嘉宾按照中国传统方式举行了隆重的新龙点晴仪式。

作为“感知重庆·2022中秋城市推广美国行”的一部分，“重庆城市影像展”“中华铜梁龙舞表演”等活动也同步展开。其中，“重庆城市影像展”带来了重庆城市摄影师优秀作品，在美国商城进行线上LED、线下专题展览，并在美国明尼苏达州华助中心进行长期展览。自2018年以来，重庆在美国明尼苏达州连续开展城市推广系列活动，此次活动延续了这一城际交往态势，增进重庆与明州人民的相互了解，加深两地友谊，扩大重庆的国际朋友圈。

铜梁龙闻名遐迩，早在明清时期，因其工艺制作的宏大奇巧，舞技表演的粗豪而闻名。铜梁龙舞是重庆市传统舞蹈、国家级非物质文化遗产，它兴起于明，鼎盛于清。铜梁龙舞包括龙灯舞和彩灯舞两大系列。龙灯舞主要包括大蠕龙、火龙等十个品种，其中以大蠕龙最有特色；彩灯舞主要包括鱼跃龙门、泥鳅吃汤圆等十二个品种。