With its colorful costumes, dynamic rhythms and expressive performances, the show captivated local audiences, many experiencing such celebrations for the first time.
Leah Koloane, a 38-year-old from Johannesburg, traveled all the way to Pretoria with her three children for the show. She said the Sichuan face-changing performance left her amazed.
"It was unbelievable," she said. "I watched closely, and in the blink of an eye, the face changed. It was utterly magical!"
Experiencing Chinese culture up close for the first time, Koloane said the performance was a feast for the eyes. Compared with the energy and vibrancy of South African culture, she felt the Sichuan arts were more subtle and profound.
Koloane's excitement was echoed by Nomcebo Moyo, also from Johannesburg. "This was my first time watching a Chinese cultural performance," she said. "I loved the colours and movements of the ethnic dances. It was absolutely stunning."
For Mei Lin, a Sichuan Opera face-changing performer, the show carried unique significance. She said it was an honor to present traditional Chinese arts to overseas Chinese communities and South African audiences. "Our performance is a bridge for cultural exchange between China and Africa, and I am proud to be part of that bridge," she said.
