From August 13-14, SCMU’s “Pomegranate Seeds” Art Troupe, led by Lei Bo, Deputy Party Secretary of the School of Music and Dance, embarked on a summer social practice trip to Sonid Right Banner, Inner Mongolia. The mission aimed to forge the sense of community for Chinese nation and pass on the tradition of revolution.
The troupe first visited the Ulan Muqir Exhibition Hall in Sonid Right Banner to learn about the development and spirit of Ulan Muqir, a renowned grassroots art troupe. The exhibits vividly portrayed how this “red art cavalry” traversed vast distances, sowing seeds of national unity across the expansive grasslands and promoting inter-ethnic exchange and integration.
Art Troupe members pose with the Ulan Muqir mural.
Photo provided by the School of Music and Dance
In Hanggai Road Community, the troupe organized a themed party day event titled “Embracing Ulan Muqir, Inheriting the Red Legacy - Forging the sense of community for Chinese nation”. Troupe members, alongside veteran artists, performed in colorful ethnic costumes, showcasing the vitality of Chinese civilization and the charm of its diverse unity through mesmerizing melodies and dances.
The troupe captain delivered a speech on “Keeping the Flower of Ethnic Arts in Perpetual Bloom”, recounting the history of Ulan Muqir and the development of the Pomegranate Seeds Art Troupe. In a face-to-face exchange, Zhana, the Ulan Muqir captain, attributed their enduring success to “doing an ordinary thing with genuine emotion” by creating relatable and memorable works that bring joy to farmers and herdsmen. He encouraged the SCMU troupe to hone their skills and remember art’s purpose of serving the people.
Art Troupe members in conversation with Captain Zhana
Photo provided by the School of Music and Dance
The SCMU troupe then joined Ulan Muqir in a performance for local herders in Chagan Ussu Village. With the sky as their backdrop and the ground as their stage, they presented a spectacular show. The solo “Mount Moni” transported the audience to the distant, mystical grasslands, while the duet dance “Passion of the Grasslands” displayed the bravery and tenderness of the prairie’s children. The highlight was a joint rendition of “Xilin Gol Grassland” by both troupes, filled with love and pride for their homeland.
SCMU Art Troupe members perform “Xilin Gol Grassland” together with Ulan Muqir artists
Photo provided by the School of Music and Dance
The captivated audience responded with enthusiastic applause, immersing themselves in the sea of art alongside the performers.
