The "Silk Road, Flower Rain" was rated as the sample of China natioanl dance drama.Which was created by Gansu Song and Dance Theater with the world-renowned Dunhuang frescoes and the Silk Road as its materials, and peace and friendship as its theme.
The production successfully moves the magnificentDunhuang frescoes onto the stage through a story of friendship and love. Reviewers say it presents the richness of Dunhuang culture, extolling the glorious working people who generated the Dunhuang culture. It narrates a tear-driving story of long-lasting friendship between Chinese people and people from abroad.
Called China's Forever Classic, 'Silk Road, Flower Rain' was chosen to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Chinese National Holiday in 1979, and received the first place in creative and performance.
In 1982, the dance drama was put on the screen by Xi'an Movie Studio. The same year, it was performed on the most glorious theatrical venue in the world, La Scala Theater, becoming the first Asian group performing in the world's top theater of art.
In 1994, Silk Road, Flower Rain received the Golden Award during competition of Classic Dance Dramas of China of the 20th Century, and was crowned the milestone of dance dramas in China.
Since a 1979 debut, 'Silk Road, Flower Rain' was put on the stage 1,600 times. In October, 2004, it was recorded by Shanghai World Jinisi as the "Best Dance Drama in China".
It has been put on stage in more than 20 countries and regions including North Korea, France, Italy, Japan, Thailand, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Spain, Turkey, Hong Kong, and Macao. It is regarded as the role model of China folk dance drama.
An adaptation of 'Silk Road, Flower Rain' was presented at the 29th Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. It was performed five times at Tianqiao Theater in Beijing, displaying the extensive Dunhuang culture to China and to the world. With the successful completion of the mission of performing for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the drama had won glory for Gansu, for the classics, and China's dance drama.
As chosen by Propaganda Department of the Central Committee of the CPC and the Ministry of Culture, the production was again invited to Beijing to perform for the 60th Anniversary of the National Holiday. The show, renewed again, was performed in the National Centre for the Performing Arts from July 29 to Aug. 2, 2009, with a total number of five performances.
'Silk Road, Flower Rain' has generated profound influence on the history of dance in China, becoming a big brand name in China and the rest of world.
In 2009, it was awarded by the Ministry of Culture the "Award of Excellent and Classic Repertoire", and the new edition performed for the 60th Anniversary of the National Holiday won the title as the "Best Play" and first place in 26 other award categories. 'Silk Road, Flower Rain' will be carried on through generations as the pearl of the dance dramas in China.