The Silk Road is a historical network of interlinking trade routes across the Afro-Eurasian landmass that began during the Han Dynasty some 2000 years ago. It is widely regarded as the first route to connect Asia with the Mediterranean and European world, as well as parts of North and East Africa.

Classical Chinese dance drama "Silk Road" visits US

And "Silk Road", an award-winning classical Chinese dance drama that tells a tale along the route, has become a recent ambassador to link the East and the West. Now, the beautiful piece will meet audiences in the United States. Our reporter Yang Ran tells you more.

The "Silk Road" promoter, China Arts and Entertainment Group, or CAEG, and Gansu Song and Dance Theater signed the cooperation agreement on Monday in Beijing. CAEG will be the global agent of "Silk Road."

On this Friday and Saturday, "Silk Road" will be presented in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. Then it will visit theaters and universities in some cities of Maryland and Pennsylvania before wrapping up the US tour on December 16th.

Created by Gansu Song and Dance Theater in 1979, "Silk Road" was chosen to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China that year and received high acclaims for its artistic value and glorious performances. In the past three decades, the drama has visited more than 20 countries and regions, giving around 2000 performances to 3 and a half million people, and has been honored as a "milestone of Chinese dance."

Classical Chinese dance drama "Silk Road" visits US

Inspired by the magnificent Dunhuang frescoes, the award-winning dance drama creates a tale of the friendship forged between master fresco painter Zhang, his daughter Yingning and Persian merchant Yunus in the time of the Tang Dynasty.

The "Silk Road" is the latest program of "Image China", a serial project by China Arts and Entertainment Group.

Zhang Yu, president and general manager of China Arts & Entertainment Group, said, ""Image China" is a cultural brand by CAEG that started in 2009. Through professional marketing, we have promoted dozens of outstanding Chinese stage performances to mainstream theaters in Europe, America and Oceania, and have enhanced the influence of Chinese performing arts internationally. "Silk Road" is a time-honored play and we are confident that it will be welcomed by American audiences. And we also hope that "Silk Road" can survive a space in the competition in the US and become a successful commercial show. "

Through a half year preparation and two months of promotion and marketing, the pre-sale numbers are looking positive.