Fudan University troupe brings Chinese Culture to Chicago

Hundreds of people on Tuesday gathered at the Chicago Cultural Center in the US state of Illinois for a special performance given by the visiting Fudan University Choir and Dance Troupe, who shared a selection of international folk songs, Chinese folk songs, as well as Chinese dances.

The audience was delighted from the group's very first performance, a Chinese dance from the ethnic Yao group. Donning bright sequined costumes and traditional jewelry, the Fudan dancers gracefully moved to the accompanying folk music, their long sleeves trailing behind them as the audience clapped and cheered.

After the dancers bowed out, the Fudan choir took the stage to sing the well-known Chinese ballads and songs from Russia, Israel and the United States.

The Chicagoan crowd found the performance quite moving, with an audience member Denise Davis saying the dance recital even "moved her to tears."

"I loved it, it was incredible," Davis told Xinhua in an interview.

"I enjoyed the international aspect because I didn't realize how beautiful the dance was and how elaborate the costumes were, but I also enjoyed seeing the many expressions that the human voice and the human body can make," said Davis.

Fudan, based in Shanghai, is one of elite universities in China.

Prior to visiting Chicago, the Fudan University Choir and Dance Troupe also performed at a music festival in San Francisco, California. The group will end their US tour and return to China Wednesday, according to Yu Xiulan, head of Fudan University's Arts Center and group organizer.