On October 25, at a vibrant event in Hangzhou, dancers from Taiwan and mainland China came together for an exhilarating breakdancing competition, showcasing their skills against a backdrop of dazzling lights and upbeat music. The competition featured impressive moves such as handstands, rapid movements, and advanced spins.
This cultural exchange event, running from October 23 to 28 in Hangzhou and Quzhou, brought together young dancers from both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Through various forms of dance battles, including Cypher (where any dance style is allowed) and two-on-two breakdancing matches, these young performers forged friendships under the banner of street dance.
As a sport that has captivated the youth globally, breakdancing made its debut at the Summer Olympics this year, inspiring an increasing number of young individuals from both sides to join the ranks of breakdancers.
Among the participants was Wu Hui-yun, a student from the Performing Arts Department at Taipei University of Technology, who has been studying street dance for six years. This was her first trip to the mainland for a dance exchange, and she expressed both excitement and nervousness about the experience.
“We brought a performance called ‘Soaring through the Clouds,’ which is our first attempt to incorporate traditional Chinese elements into our program. We hope to blend traditional culture with modern street dance to create something unique,” Wu explained.
The event attracted 150 young street dancers from Taiwan, most of whom were newcomers eager to chase their dreams across the sea. “Even though we didn’t know each other before, there’s a certain energy that brings those who dance together. The connection through dance allows us to become familiar with one another quickly,” shared one Taiwanese dancer visiting the mainland for the first time.
Professor Gu Qing-yu, also from Taipei University of Technology, frequently travels between the two sides for street dance exchanges. This time, he brought along a group of ten students. A few years ago, Gu participated in a popular mainland variety show, “This! Is Street Dance,” which helped him establish strong collaborations with the mainland dance community.
“These street dance exchange events allow dancers on both sides not only to share techniques but also to strengthen cultural communication, paving the way for more cooperation,” Gu noted. He emphasized the substantial market and development opportunities in the mainland, encouraging his students to explore possibilities there.
Looking ahead, Gu hopes for even closer exchanges and collaborations among young dancers from both sides, ultimately showcasing the talents of Chinese dancers on the world stage.
