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Xinjiang Dilinaer Arts Troupe to perform "Meshrep" in Hong Kong
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     Xinjiang Dilinaer Arts Troupe will perform in Hong Kong for the first time in July with three performances of "Meshrep".

     "Meshrep" is the Uygur word for a gathering or court involving traditional ritual practices and ceremonial activities. A complete meshrep brings together a variety of traditions as well as performance arts such as music, dance, drama, folk arts, acrobatics, literature, food-related practices, and games. A meshrep involves the transmission and inheritance of Uygur customs and cultural meaning by the participating virtuoso performers and all those in attendance. One of the main characteristics of a meshrep is that there is no differentiation between audiences and performers, as all are participants. Today many factors threaten the meshrep, including social changes brought about by urbanisation and industrialisation, the influences of both national and foreign culture, and the migration of young Uygurs to cities for work.

     In 2010, the meshrep was placed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, as its continuity is threatened.

     Established in 2008, Xinjiang Dilinaer Arts Troupe comprises different national-class artists from various clans. The troupe aims to unite various professional arts organisations and cultural arts workers to inherit and enhance the traditional arts of the minority groups in Xinjiang. Moreover, it also actively communicates with overseas arts organisations and artists in order to strengthen arts exchange activities and introduce the culture and arts of Xinjiang to the world.

     The troupe has participated in various arts exchange activities and major performances, and has received different arts troupes from Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan for various exchange activities.

     "Meshrep" is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. It will be held at 8pm on July 20 (Friday) at the Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall, and at 8pm on July 21 (Saturday) and 4pm on July 22 (Sunday) at the Auditorium, Yuen Long Theatre. Tickets ranging from $100 to $260 are now available at URBTIX outlets, on the Internet and by credit card telephone booking. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and their minders, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (limited tickets for full-time students and CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis). A maximum discount of 20 per cent is offered for the group booking package.

     For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/dance/000003de.html. Ticketing enquiries can be made on 2734 9009 and credit card telephone booking on 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked online at www.urbtix.hk.

Ends/Friday, June 15, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:24

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