It is the only way to free your spirit.

Ever since the founding of the National Ballet of China in 1959, generations of Chinese ballet dancers have devoted themselves to ballet - the interpretation of youth and beauty.

At the beginning of the new century they are to give a full presentation of China's achievements in ballet.

Over 300 ballet dancers from the National Ballet of China and four local troupes - the Shanghai Ballet, the Liaoning Ballet, the Guangzhou Ballet and the Tianjin Ballet - will contribute to the performance entitled "Strength of Chinese Ballet" on December 25.

Five pairs of swans from each of the troupes will dance together to interpret Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake."

"Swan Lake," choreographed and directed by Russian dancer Ryotr Gusez, laid a solid foundation for the development of Chinese ballet style in the 1950s. Since then Chinese ballet has followed the traditions of classical ballet, adopting Russian interpretations especially.

Yet since the mid-1960s a local perspective was brought into Chinese ballet. Works depicting Chinese life appeared. The latest ones such as "Yellow River" and "Butterfly Lovers" are to be presented in this December's "Strength of Chinese Ballet."

(China Daily 12/04/2000)