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URUMQI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Guzanur Turdahon delicately gestured with her finger when the accompanying folk music was soothing, but dynamically shook her elbows and waist when drumbeats were intense. Her students mimicked her movements at a dance studio in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
"Traditional folk dance typically conveys restrained emotions, whereas street dance is bold and outgoing," said Guzanur Turdahon. She added that traditional Uygur dance tends to be more subdued with intricate finger movements, while street dance is more likely to emphasize punctuated movements.
Born in 1992 in the city of Altay in northern Xinjiang, Guzanur Turdahon displayed a passion and talent for dancing from a young age, prompting her to seek better dance education opportunities in Urumqi.
During her time at Xinjiang Arts University, she immersed herself in various forms of folk dance, including Yangge, a traditional style from northern China and also a form of national intangible cultural heritage. In addition, she studied the flower drum lantern dance of east China's Anhui Province and the dances of the Tajik ethnic minority, among others.
"Dance serves as a universal language that expresses emotions and tells stories through body movements," Guzanur Turdahon said.
After graduating, she chose not to follow her parents' advice to pursue a stable office job, but instead joined a street dance studio. Exploring various dance styles, she eventually decided to dedicate herself to fusing traditional folk dance with the bold dynamism of street dance.
"I have a passion for dancing. Furthermore, both folk dance and street dance demand innovation, thereby gaining vitality," she emphasized. "Young dancers need to break boundaries, embrace novelty, and try something different."
Guzanur Turdahon teaches street dance at Xinjiang Arts University in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Shuo)