Kuala lumpur: The experience of studying dance in China has given Malaysian students a new perspective on the country's diverse cultural heritage, while broadening their understanding of how traditional arts are preserved and developed among younger generations.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, through the student exchange programme at Guangxi Arts University, participants have the opportunity to participate in various arts and cultural activities, including learning Chinese dance and gaining firsthand exposure to its techniques, stories, and cultural significance. National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (ASWARA) student Vivi Hafira Shafikh Ahmad, 20, said studying dance at the university allowed her to experience Chinese classical dance in its country of origin.
"The training here places strong emphasis on discipline, precise techniques and movements, while each dance also carries its own story and cultural meaning. I also learned that facial expression is important in Chinese dance as it helps convey emotions and tell the story. It made me realise that dance is not just about movement but also about expressing the culture and identity of a community," said the first-year student when met by Bernama at the Guangxi Ethnic Music Museum here today.
She said the experience had also changed her perspective on Chinese arts and culture, particularly the efforts to keep traditional arts relevant among the younger generation. Vivi Hafira said Malaysia could also learn from China's approach to preserving and promoting traditional arts in ways that make them more accessible to young people. She said dance could also serve as a bridge between Malaysia and China by enabling people to understand each other's traditions and cultural values beyond language barriers.
Meanwhile, second-year ASWARA student Chan Ying Xin, 21, said the programme provided valuable exposure to different approaches to dance education. "We can see the differences in the field of dance, including the teaching and learning methods practised here. For me, it has been a very good experience, and there are many new things for us to learn," she said. She said the experience had also allowed the Malaysian students to broaden their understanding of dance beyond what they had learned in Malaysia.
Vivi Hafira and Chan were among 14 Malaysian students who participated in the one-month student exchange programme, which aims to introduce Malaysian traditional dances while learning about the uniqueness and characteristics of Chinese dances. Meanwhile, Zhao Ke, International Education and Exchange Centre director at Guangxi Arts University, said the university's international student programme aims to promote mutual learning between Chinese and ASEAN students through arts and cultural exchange.
He said the participating students were outstanding representatives of their respective ASEAN countries and their presence at the university gives Chinese students the opportunity to learn about the music and arts of Southeast Asia. "Through their study period here, ASEAN students can also learn about Chinese artistic creation and develop a deeper understanding of China's arts and culture. When they return to their countries, we hope they can become ambassadors for China-ASEAN cooperation and exchanges in the arts," he said.
Besides Malaysia, the student exchange programme also involves students from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.