By Madison Butkus
Hometown Weekly Reporter
This past Tuesday, August 1st, the Walpole Public Library (WPL) hosted an event, “Traditions of Chinese Acrobatics” featuring acrobatic performer Li Liu. Her performance included plate spinning, hand balancing, diabolos, foot juggling, and ribbon dancing.
The Community Room was packed with people of all ages eager to see what Li Liu had in store for them. Everything she performed left attendees in pure awe of her talent.
Born in Beijing, she came over to the United States twenty years ago and learned the English language through means of television and having conversations with others. She started practicing acrobatics when she was six years old, exactly fifty years ago. Li Liu would practice with her father up to eight hours a day and explained how, because of this, her childhood was much different than what a typical one would be. She also recalled that the first trick she ever mastered was the classic handstand.
Throughout her performance, Li Liu asked an array of child volunteers to join her on stage to try their hand at ribbon dancing and plate spinning. Ear-to-ear smiles were seen on all the kiddo and parent faces as they got to practice her talent. One little five year old girl even got to help Li Liu spin a large, heavy metal plate on a very large stick. Everyone was madly impressed at how well the little girl did.
Not only did Li Liu perform, but she also made educational connections/lessons at different points within the show. One lesson included helping us learn some of the Chinese language like “Hi, how are you?” and “Thank you.”
An important educational connection Li Liu made was about the culture of China, specifically the Chinese New Year. She explained the significance behind the celebration, stating, “The Chinese New Year is like the Christmas celebration here in the U.S.. We have a big family dinner and we give a present to each other. We also make special dumplings, some even have money in them. This means you will have good luck in the coming year. The Chinese New Year celebration lasts for fifteen days where we play different games, like ribbon games. The ribbon dance is so important to us because it brings us good luck too and it is great exercise!”
Upon teaching attendees about the Chinese New Year ribbon dance, Li Liu asked for volunteers to try out some of the moves they do within the dance. Six children were brought up on stage and each given their own ribbon. Li Liu showed them the moves and what they were called, and in the end they all performed together.
This amazing event was made possible by the generous contributions of the Harding Family. It is safe to say that many hope that Li Liu will perform once again at the WPL down the road.
