Jinan's Beijing Opera Company are bringing their version of the Lady Godiva legend to this year's Godiva Festival on 7 - 8 June 2003.
Jinan city is the capital of the Shangong province and has a population of six million. Its twinning link with Coventry goes back to 1983.
The visitors' performance will mark the 20th anniversary of the formal link between the two cities.
Μύ| Μύ |  | Beijing Opera performer
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The Beijing Opera is a traditional art form which is performed by many performing companies across China.
It combines singing, music, acrobatics,
magic and dancing and features performers in colourful and intricate
costumes and masks.
Μύ| Μύ |  | Beijing Opera performer
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Former Lord Mayor Dave Chater was visiting Jinan two years ago when it was suggested that the city's Beijing Opera could produce their own version of the Lady Godiva story in their twin city.
Mick Emerson said: "We will be giving the people of Coventry a unique
opportunity to see a popular Chinese artform".
"It is an extraordinary spectacle and our challenge will be how to stage it in a way that bridges the cultural and artistic differences between China and the West...[for] the Godiva show."
ΜύThe Beijing Opera is part of the free Godiva Festival in the War Memorial Park 6-8 June organised by CV One.
The festival also includes the Godiva Procession, Godiva Historic Car Run, live music tents, Lives and Times history fair, Fools Paradise human circus tent, entertainments arena, craft and charity stalls, catering and a licensed bar.
Follow the links on the left for more information.
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