January 17th, 2020(December 23rd in lunar calendar) is the Preliminary Eve in northern China, the official beginning of the Spring Festival. On this day, National Ballet of China staged The Nutcracker (Chinese Version) was performed in the National Centre for the Performing Arts, a ballet tells the story happened in the Chinese traditional festival Spring Festival, which added an artistic flavor to the Preliminary Eve. Meanwhile, the performance was also an part of the 20th "Meeting in Beijing" Arts Festival. With outstanding artists from all over the world, The Nutcracker (Chinese Version) interpreted the theme of "ice, snow and passion" of the festival.

Performing video of the curtain call of The Nutcracker (Chinese Version) in National Centre for the Performing Arts on January 17th.

It lasts about 1 minute and is recommended to watch in Wi-Fi.

The Nutcracker (Chinese Version) creatively endows the well-known "Nutcracker" with a romantic and beautiful Chinese verve. It tells the story of a Chinese family celebrating the Spring Festival on New Year's Eve. With Tchaikovsky's music, it unfolds a rich and colorful long scroll of Chinese folk customs. And at the same time, it expresses the Chinese ballet artists' thinking and exploration on the integration of eastern and western cultures.

In the performance, Zhang Jian and Ma Xiaodong, the Prima Ballerina and Premier Danseur of National Ballet of China, performed as "Yuanyuan" and "Nutcracker" respectively; Zhan Xinlu performed as "Yuan Yuan (Kid)" and Teng Jiankai performed as "Tuan Tuan"; Qiu Yunting, Lu Na, Sun Ruichen, Li Wentao and other Principal Dancers also appeared in the show; Zhu Yan, the deputy Director of National Ballet of China, and Wang Qimin, the Prima Ballerina, performed as mothers of "Tuan Tuan" and "Yuan Yuan" respectively. At the same time, conducted by Music Director Zhang Yi, led by Wang Xiaomao, Assistant Music Director and concert master of the orchestra, the National Ballet of China Symphony Orchestra presented a wonderful live concert for the performance. The performance was sparked with ballet stars, and more than 2000 audience celebrated the "new year" together.

"Yuan Yuan (Kid)" by Zhan Xinlu

"Tuan Tuan" by Teng Jiankai

"The foreign friend" by Hervé Palito

"The Crane Queen" by Lu Na

"Yuan Yuan" by Zhang Jian

"The Nutcracker" by Ma Xiaodong

"Leading Crane" by Qiu Yunting

As the ending performance of National Ballet of China of the year of Pig, on January 18th and 19th, The Nutcracker (Chinese Version) will continue to be performed in the National Centre for the Performing Arts, to extend the happy and festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival!