In the ancient city of Taiyuan, colours, rhythm, and movement converged as Newcastle’s Chakras Performing Arts represented Australia and India at the Gannat International Art Festival (China Edition 2025) — a celebration held for the first time as part of UNESCO’s International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
For Savitri Naidoo, founder and director of Chakras Performing Arts, the experience was deeply personal and symbolic.
“Coming from South Africa, where we were forcibly made to live apart because of apartheid, I built bridges through dance with the Nelson Mandela Foundation,” Naidoo reflected. “It feels like I’ve come full circle — back to those moments of connection — now here in China with students from India who live in Australia.”
The festival brought together 260 artists from 15 countries, including France, Thailand, Malaysia, Peru, Kazakhstan, Bulgaria, India, and Australia, showcasing the diversity and universality of traditional and contemporary art forms.
Festival chair Yachao Zhao welcomed the participants warmly:
“This is a great festival that we have been holding in China for three consecutive years,” Zhao said. “Welcome to my Folklore Festival — welcome to Taiyuan, the ancient city.”
Wei Jianyong, Festival Dance Director of the French-Gannat Festival in Taiyuan, praised the Australian team’s artistry:
“The Indian dancers are very professional, and their dances are fabulous,” he said. “The creative cohesion between India and Australia brought such an amazing performance for the Chinese audience. We love them very much.”
The Chakras delegation included students, parents and teachers, many of whom were performing internationally for the first time.
“It’s been a great learning experience, not just from the perspective of Indian culture,” said Hemant V, a parent and member of the team. “Art knows no barriers of countries or continents — it’s a universal language.”
For performer Danica Hugo, the festival offered a unique opportunity to experience cultural exchange first-hand.
“It’s our first time in China, and we’re so grateful to be part of this,” she said. “It’s such a beautiful country with a rich culture.”
Fellow dancer Ishani Mallesara added:
“It’s exhilarating to meet so many people from all over the world — not just to perform, but to watch and share cultures in such an open and welcoming environment.”
Performer Bianka Arunraj summed up the group’s pride and gratitude:
“We’re so proud to be here showcasing what we’ve learnt and sharing as Indians from Australia,” she said. “We’re thankful for this opportunity to perform in China — and hopefully next, in France.”
The trip was made possible through the support of Dr Vikrant Kishore, Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China and Director of the Digital Heritage Centre, who facilitated Chakras’ participation.
“This story celebrates how art continues to build bridges between India, Australia, and China,” Dr Kishore said. “Through dance, the Chakras team connected cultures and communities, proving once again that art has no boundaries.”
For the Chakras performers, the festival was more than a cultural showcase — it was a living exchange of heritage, learning and friendship across borders.
