The dragon and lion dance performance.

Guangzhou's first overseas Dragon and Lion Cultural Heritage Center is set to be established in Cambridge, the United Kingdom, the China Guangzhou Dragon and Lion Dance Association, the Cambridge Chinese Community Center, and the British-Chinese Business Travel Culture Exchange Association announced on Aug 13.

The three parties signed a cooperation agreement that day to facilitate the exchange and preservation of Chinese intangible cultural heritage items, specifically dragon and lion dances, in the UK. The initiative aims to promote competitions, performances, exhibitions, and seminars on dragon and lion dance activities.

The city of Cambridge, known for its significant Chinese population, is home to one of the most vibrant Chinese community centers in the country. The local center's dragon and lion dance team has been preserving and promoting this ancient intangible cultural heritage item for 45 years, with their performances featured at various events in Cambridge. They visit local schools to educate children about the cultural importance of dragon and lion dancing, earning global recognition for their dedication to showcasing and safeguarding Chinese intangible cultural heritage abroad.

"Where there are Chinese people, there are lion dances," said Sun Wei, chairman of the Cambridge Chinese Community Center. The dragon and lion dance activities have a significant following in the UK, especially during traditional festivals like Chinese New Year, Lantern Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival. These festivities serve as a platform to highlight the cultural richness of Chinese traditions.

Zhao Weibin, president of the Guangzhou Dragon and Lion Dance Association, eagerly anticipates advancing cultural exchanges between Chinese and British youth and enthusiasts of dragon and lion dances through trilateral cooperation. This collaborative effort is designed to organize cultural study tours and specialized training camps focusing on teaching people how to perform dragon and lion dances. By creating this platform, the younger generations of China and the UK can engage in mutual learning and deepen their understanding through lion and dragon dances.