The atmosphere at the Tel Aviv Opera House Saturday night was one of non-stop excitement and admiration from beginning to end. The China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe opened the evening with its signature dance "Thousand-handed Bodhisattva" and later performed the famous Hebrew songs "Latat" and "Hallelujah." The audience here was thrilled about the spectacular performance.
"I think that was amazing. It shows the real spirit of China. Very, very inspiring for Israelis, for both disabled and normal Israelis."
"Very much, I like it very much. It's beautiful, something we've never seen before. It's wonderful."(www.hXen.com)
"We are also disabled people, and we dance with wheelchairs also. It's very exciting to see other people from another country, also disabled, take part in the good life. It's very exciting."
Israeli President Shimon Peres was present at the performance and expressed his gratitude for the disabled artists.
"Your dream is our dream. The dream is to enable the disabled to be extremely able—a heartbreaking performing at the height of culture and beauty, to make the unbelievable believable. I want to thank you from the depth of my heart for performing here tonight."
The performance was also the opener for the "Experience China in Israel" series of cultural events organized by the State Council Information Office of China.
Wang Chen, Minister of the Information Office, flew to Tel Aviv to participate in the event. At the opening show, he said culture could be the best bridge to link the Chinese and Israeli people closer together.
"Just as more and more Chinese people fall in love with Israeli culture, more and more Israelis also fall in love with Chinese culture, start to learn Chinese, and want to learn more about Chinese development. Therefore, this 'Experience China in Israel' event not only reflects the two governments' efforts in promoting bilateral relations, but also reflects the two peoples' earnest aspiration to increase understanding and deepen friendship."
The series of events includes artistic performances, photo exhibitions, a film week and a symposium on China, Israel and the world economy. They will run until the end of October.
