Qiu Siting, a young woman who has for many years dedicated her life to her art, has become one of the top ballet dancers at the Bavarian State Theater in Munich, Germany. At the same time, she is active in friendly cultural exchange between Germany and her homeland, China.

It still remains a world of snow and ice in Munich in the springtime. The distinctive Bavarian-style buildings stand quietly amidst snowflakes drifting here and there like the falling feathers of geese. With few people walking on the street, it appears even colder at night.

In the downtown area, warm lights can be seen radiating out through the windows of the Bavarian State Theater. A melodic voice is heard speaking in German in the rehearsal hall. Our interpreter tells us that the voice is saying, "Come here, boy. Would you like to help me practice the part where Romeo confides his love to Juliet in the garden?" Behind the half-closed door, two dancers, a handsome, strapping and agile young man with blond hair, and a graceful, elegant and slim young lady with black hair and yellow complexion, are dancing deliriously. The chill here seems to have been driven away by their movements ― their poetic spins and beautiful bounds.

"Well done, Qiu!" Viewing this, the 14 little Chinese girls who have come to take part in the Ninth International Teenagers' Dance Competition, cannot help but loudly voice their praise. These girls are from the Guangzhou Wuyang Children's Modern Ballet Troupe, and the female dancer they just praised is actually "a Chinese swan who took off" from Guangzhou, China. Peng Wu, founder of the Guangzhou Wuyang Children's Modern Ballet Troupe, and a member of the first generation of modern dance actors in China, was also the teacher who introduced Qiu to the art.

When Qiu was 18, she won a full scholarship for her excellent scores from the State Conservatory of Music and Performing Arts, Mannheim, Germany, and successfully entered the school. Two years later, she encountered an important moment in her life - the Bavarian State Theater in Munich was recruiting actors and actresses. About 400 candidates applied for the positions, but Qiu was the only to succeed in the end. Depending on diligence, perseverance and a good grasp of basic techniques, she quickly became one of the top dancers at the theater, which has a total of 150 ballet dancers.

So far, Qiu Siting, or the "Chinese Swan," as she is known, has danced for three years at this top German theater. How has this young Chinese woman, who has entered this kingdom of ballet all by herself, played such an active role there?

This reporter interviewed Peng Wu, and while listening to Peng's introduction, was deeply impressed by the love between Romeo and Juliet as rehearsed by Qiu. Ivan Liska, the world-renowned dance director, came here to conduct and supervise the rehearsal of this classic ballet. Even though it was only a rehearsal, the children were fascinated.

After the rehearsal, the children could finally go forward and circle Qiu Siting and fire away with their questions. "How many performances have you given here at this theater?" "How many plays have you performed so far?" "You know German language now, don't you?" "When are you going to return to China to give performances?"

Seeing Peng Wu, the teacher who helped launch her career, and seeing the children from her alma mater in Guangzhou, Qiu Siting became animated and talkative. She said that during the past three years, at the Bavarian State Theater she has performed in more than 30 plays, including Swan Lake, Romeo and Julliet and Blue Garden, with the number of performances surpassing 200.

She often visited theaters in neighboring countries, such as Italy, Austria and Switzerland, to interact, perform, and learn from her peers. Apart from her native language, Mandarin, she is fluent in German, speaks English and is learning French.

She said that her most cherished wish was that she could return to China to perform, bringing dance drama and the ballet of the Bavarian State Theater to the country, to allow more Chinese audiences to enjoy the top ballet in the world. She is working in that direction, and she is confident that her efforts will soon pay off.

While pursuing her career in ballet, Qiu Siting has also assumed another important role in recent years ― ambassador for Sino-German cultural exchange. For example, thanks to her efforts, the Guangzhou Wuyang Children's Modern Ballet Troupe was able to visit Germany to take part in the Munich International Youth Dance Competition. She told this reporter that besides dancing, she has made many friends, spreading Chinese culture among her foreign acquaintances, and introducing her Chinese friends to the foreign cultures with which she has become familiar. The Mayor of Munich has suggested that she become a consultant in cultural exchange.

The "Chinese Swan" has grown up. We look forward to the day when she brings to China the ballet of the Bavarian State Theater.

Qiu Siting has lost count of the number of dancing shoes she has worn out while rehearsing and performing at the Bavarian State Theater over the past three years.

Despite a full schedule, Qiu Siting finds time to demonstrate and instruct her alumnae, who have come to participate in an international dance competition in Germany.

Qiu Siting, Peng Wu (center), the teacher who instructed Qiu as she began her career, and Qiu's colleagues at the Bavarian Theater exchange views.

Leaving the theater, Qiu walks alone into the winter night on the streets of Munich.

The "elder sister" leads her "younger sisters" in a stroll along the streets of Munich.

(China Pictorial September 23, 2005)