On July 27, the 10th Guozhuang Cultural Week was inaugurated with great fanfare in Luqu county, Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Gansu province - a place renowned as the "Home of Chinese Guozhuang Dance". Tens of thousands of grassland natives and tourists from various regions gathered to celebrate this momentous occasion and welcome the grand event on the prairie.

The title "Home of Chinese Guozhuang Dance" has become Luqu's most resonant cultural brand, propelling Guozhuang - a cultural gem that has been passed down through generations of Tibetan farmers and herdsmen for centuries - onto the national stage, and earning acclaim across China. In 2014, Luqu was bestowed with the title "Home of Chinese Guozhuang Dance" by the Chinese Dancers Association. The following year, the association further honored Luqu by designating it as the "Guozhuang Dance Inheritance and Research Base". To date, Luqu has successfully hosted nine Chinese Guozhuang Dance exhibitions.

The 10th Guozhuang Cultural Week is inaugurated with great fanfare in Luqu county, Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Gansu province, on July 27, 2024. [Photo provided to gogansu.com]

This year's Guozhuang Cultural Week will encompass a diverse array of events and competitions. These include the 3rd "Guozhuang Cup" Basketball Tournament, Namu Tibetan Opera performances, investment and trade negotiations, a folk sports meet, and the "Home of Chinese Guozhuang Dance - Same Source of the River" Guozhuang Music Festival. The festivities will be rounded off with spectacular fireworks displays and bonfire parties.

The 10th Guozhuang Cultural Week is inaugurated with great fanfare in Luqu county, Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Gansu province, on July 27, 2024. [Photo provided to gogansu.com]

Through these events, Luqu not only showcases its rich cultural heritage but also demonstrates its commitment to preserving and promoting traditional Tibetan arts while fostering economic development and cultural exchange. As the Guozhuang dance continues to captivate audiences far beyond the grasslands of Gansu, it serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring appeal and relevance of China's diverse cultural traditions in the modern world.