Jiaozhou yangko dance, a folk dance of Jiaozhou, is performed during the gala in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan on the evening of Sept 7. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A grand cultural performance was held at the National Music Hall in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan on the evening of Sept 7.

The event was organized by the government of Shandong province in East China, the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, and the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of Kyrgyzstan, and hosted by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Shandong Province.

A part of the ongoing "Year of People-to-People Cultural Exchange between China and Central Asian Countries" and "Hospitality of Shandong · Silk Road Charm" cultural performance, the performance of Jiaozhou yangko dance, a folk dance of Jiaozhou in Shandong province, captivated the audience and received high praise from the Deputy Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan.

Jiaozhou yangko dance has a history of more than 300 years.

On Aug 20, Elena, a young Kazakh, was invited to Puzhen town, Jiaozhou city to watch and experience Jiaozhou yangko dance.

"The dance is wonderful, everyone looks very happy, and the costumes are also beautiful. I'm so eager to learn more about this magical art. If possible, I would like to bring my friends here to study," Elena said.

"Jiaozhou is the birthplace of yangko dance in China. Yangko dance is Jiaozhou's shiniest cultural emblem. The positive and uplifting emotions conveyed by yangko dance have the power to connect different ethnicities and countries," said Liu Zongtao, director of the cultural services center of the city's culture and tourism bureau.