Gen Zer Ye Linna on Silk Road: Dancing for Youth Dream in China

The "Youth on the Silk Road" Short Video Contest organized by CRI Online of China Media Group has received more than 170 entries since its launch, with young people and groups from countries including Canada, Pakistan, Egypt, and Serbia participating.

Ye Linna (Jelena Culafic) is a Serbian student majoring in Dance Theory and Aesthetics in China. She has been studying at Nanjing University of the Arts (NUA) since 2017. Ye's entry "Dancing for the Youth, Pursuing Dream in China" focuses on her life at NUA, which features her pursuit of the dream of being a dancer, and how she has embraced Chinese culture.

Nanjing's Laomendong (a historical and cultural block) and Confucius Temple are featured in the video. "I've been very interested in traditional Chinese culture, and those two places can present it very well." In Ye's view, traditional Chinese culture and the education she received at NUA have influenced her deeply. What interests her most is how China preserves cultural tradition and integrates tradition and modernity.

Ye said, in terms of traditional Chinese culture, the dance forms of China attract her most, especially those forms of the classical folk dance through which she can catch a glimpse of Chinese culture. She noted that although dance is presented in a modern form, there are a lot of details associated with traditional cultures, like the costumes, the choice of colors, and other dancing elements.

"As a dancer, I aspire to the highest level of aesthetics." Ye said during an interview that she went to learn Hongze Lake Fishing Drum Dance, a special dance form originating in Jiangsu, which has incorporated the local traditional customs. "This dance form is beautiful. It has made me realize the beauty of a real traditional dance form (of China)."

In terms of the cultural exchanges between China and Serbia, Ye has also made many efforts. She helped build the communication between the dance school in Serbia that she used to study at and NUA. "I hope I can do more so that I can not only help establish the connection between Nanjing and Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, but also connect more places of China with Serbia in the future. In my daily life, I often share videos related to Chinese culture with my family and friends."

Ye noted that each country and people has its cultural values. There is a need to establish effective international cultural exchanges which require the participation of more youths.

The submission deadline for the "Youth on the Silk Road" Short Video Contest is August 31, 2022. You are welcome to send your videos to youthsr@cri.cn.