Traditional Chinese drum show stages in Colombia

A performance of a traditional Chinese percussion known as Jiangzhou Drum was staged in Colombia's capital city of Bogota this week, as part of the city's Christmas celebration.

Jiangzhou Drum, requires highly skillful drumming technique with a combination of power and beauty. It was listed by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2002.

The show was performed by Chinese Shanghai Jiangzhou Drum Troupe. About 100 percussionists showcased the mystery of the Chinese drumming in six acts in the central Bolivar Plaza.

The troupe, created in 1988, has up to 1,500 drums and 7,000 costumes at its full capacity.

For Shi Xiaocong, one of the troupe's musicians, the Bogota show is a chance to bring cultures together.

"We are two very distant countries with very different cultures. I think we need to study each other in terms of culture and make important cultural exchanges," he told Xinhua.

Quan Ruixiang, one of the drummers, told Xinhua that the people of Bogota have received this show warmly.

"The Colombian public is very friendly. I greatly appreciate the warmth of the people here and the spectacular way in which they have received us," he said. Endi