Personal tragedy inspires choreographer's creation

Lift the Fallen is a Richmond Ballet production that will be staged during the Meet in Beijing Arts Festival. [Photo provided to China Daily]

In 2014, Chinese choreographer Ma Cong was thinking of ideas for his new work for the US-based Richmond Ballet when his mother passed away.

The loss came to inspire that work, titled Lift the Fallen, in which Ma explores the process of grieving, healing, continuing on with one's life and even becoming stronger.

The ballet premiered in May 2014 in Richmond, Virginia.

Now Ma, along with dancers from the Richmond Ballet, is touring China as part of the ongoing 15th Meet in Beijing Arts Festival, one of the country's largest art festivals, which runs through May 28.

"The work is a very personal ballet for me. I wanted to create a work that can encourage and lift the fallen," says Ma.

"The work pays homage to the folk dances of my homeland, China, and to the great love for my mother, my best and most beloved friend."