China Report: Integrated Paralympics Dance Project, Beijing 2007

December 22, 2007 at 9:59 am (Learning & Access, Overseas Tour) (Ballet, Beijing, china, dance, dance Education, Overseas Tour, Paralympics)

The Integrated Paralympics Dance Project – Young Advocates Programme, Developing the Paralympic Spirit brought together a large group of partners. – Working in partnership with Northern Ballet Theatre were the British Council (the cultural and education section of the British Embassy) and the China Disabled Persons Federation. This project is the first in a programme of work developing the skills of the Beijing Young Advocates who will meet with their international counterparts in September 2008 at the start of the Paralympics in Beijing.

Whilst the Company was performing in Wuxi and Hangzhou, our Learning and Access Department were busy working on a very special project in Beijing

On Friday 14 December we met with Junhong from the British Council who showed us around the venue were we would be delivering the workshops. She introduced us to some of the participants and representatives from the different organisations who have been involved in bringing the project together in China. After a long journey it was great to see that all our arrangements had been put into place and everything was ready for starting work the following Monday.

This left the weekend for a little team building exercise of sightseeing, very kindly our interpreter Zhili showed us around Beijing – Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Royal Gardens, traditional markets and finished off with the Temple of Heaven. On Sunday we had a stroll around a Chinese Antique Market and got very good at bartering with the stall vendors!

Monday morning back to work, after a very busy Press Launch we started to create movement with the group and develop ideas for the final presentation on Friday afternoon. It was great to work with such enthusiastic young adults who are willing to join in and learn new skills.

Working with 20 young adults with and without disabilities, the group worked to create a piece of dance that was performed at the end of the week and through the process developed communication, confidence, leadership and team working skills.