On March 27, 2024, International Festival of Etudes XIV concluded at the Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film Georgia State University. Gong Zhaoyang and Dou Yuyang, students from the Department of Peking Opera, attended the event and won the ‘Best Stage Movement’ Award for their wonderful performance of ‘Knocking over War Chariots’, a delegation led by Wu Guoyu, Project Manager from the Foreign Affairs Office.

Certificate for ‘Best Stage Movement’ Award

Students in Costume

Students receiving the award

‘Knocking over War Chariots’ was choreographed by Prof. Zhao Yongwei, from the Department of Peking Opera. It features martial roles with long spear and armor, who exhibits extraordinary feat of skill. The scene of ‘carrying the sedan’ is the essence of the play, where actors need to portray the relationship between the high-ranking official and the horse through performance without actual props. During the preparation period, Prof. Zhao Yongwei provided meticulous guidance to the students in stage performance, techniques, costumes and makeup, and accompaniment. During the performance, the students demonstrated solid skills in singing, reciting, acting, and martial arts, earning unanimous praise from the audience.

This festival coincided with the centennial celebration of the Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film Georgia State University, featuring 16 works from Armenia, Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Lithuania, Poland, and other countries. The Georgian Ministry of Culture, Georgian Art Museum, and ‘Puppet House’ Art Space provided strong support.

During the festival, various institutions signed a cooperation declaration proposed by the host, Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film Georgia State University, witnessed by Tea Tsulukiani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture, Sports, and Youth Affairs of Georgia, and the Curator of the Art Palace of Georgia attended the signing ceremony and delivered speeches.

Group Photo of Representatives