The artist had a brief exchange with the media on the afternoon of 9/3, just before she headed to the airport to return home. Previously, after the final performance on the evening of 8/3, the dancer worked with her team until nearly morning, resting for only a few hours. Despite this, she maintained good spirits and health. The artist also received a gift: a red ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) embroidered with peacock wings on the collar, custom-made by designer Duc Hung.

Liping during her performance on the evening of 8/3 at Ho Guom Theater. Photo: Organizers provided

"I always strive for perfection, and everything went quite well. Thank you for your love and support for the performance", she stated. According to her, the team initially faced challenges due to the relatively small space of the Ho Guom Theater, making it difficult to create depth for many scenes. The team worked to overcome this, building a stage that suited the performance and helped viewers experience the wild beauty of nature.

The artist believes Vietnamese audiences resonated with "Peacock" due to their shared East Asian cultural background, which has many similarities. "Furthermore, the work conveys a message about humanity, the impermanence of life, and the things everyone faces, regardless of nation or border", said Yang Liping.

She reiterated the meaning of the performance, explaining that its four acts—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—correspond to the cycle of "birth, aging, sickness, and death". Spring symbolizes germination and growth. Summer represents the process of maturity. Autumn signifies decay, and winter marks the end of a life. Yang Liping, at the age of 68, shared that she believes she is in her winter—the final act of her life.

After returning to China, the artist will temporarily stop performing "Peacock" to rehearse her new work, "Ambush on All Sides". According to her, the latest version of "Peacock" has been presented for four years in many Chinese cities. Therefore, it is now time for her to introduce her other dance dramas.

Yang Liping and her team's tour took place from 6/3 to 8/3 in Hanoi. The team had four sold-out shows, attracting approximately 3,200 audience members. The artist and her collaborators captivated viewers with exquisite dance techniques, combined with modern sound and lighting technology.

One of the most impressive segments was the appearance of a flock of peacocks. Dancers formed layers of bird wings, moving gracefully like a living organism. Duet and solo performances depicted peacocks calling for mates and displaying their beauty during the breeding season, showcasing the intricate dance techniques.

Before coming to Vietnam, Yang Liping had toured "Peacock" for hundreds of performances in various large and small theaters across China and several other countries. Born in 1958, she gained international renown in the dance world with her peacock dance. QQ rated her as the artist with the highest achievements in China's ethnic dance field. Over the past 10 years, Yang Liping has performed less, stepping back to work behind the scenes, teaching, and training a new generation. Besides dance, Yang Liping also acted in films, with a notable role as Mei Chaofeng in "The Legend of the Condor Heroes 2003".

Ha Thu