East Kowloon Cultural Centre |The Reunion of Oasis

Description

“The Road Home”
“The Path of Conviction”
“The Path of Heroes”

The wheat in Helong is turning golden; may the wandering son return home

Synopsis
In the fifth year of the Dazhong era of the Tang Dynasty (851 AD), a Dunhuang diplomatic mission led by Gao Jinda, a military officer, arrived in Chang’an. Gao Jinda presented a map he had drawn himself, bringing good news of Dunhuang (Shazhou City), which had been “out of contact” for more than half a century.     
According to historical records, the delegation set out in the second year of the Dazhong era (848 AD) and took a detour through the northern desert to evade pursuit. Throughout their perilous, arduous journey, the belief in “returning home” bound family and nation together…

 Highlights of the Production
The Fusion of Traditional Culture and Contemporary Aesthetics
The dance drama *Return to Dunhuang* brings together a top-tier domestic creative team, using artistic imagination to fill in the gaps of historical details; it employs the artistic vocabulary of modern and contemporary dance to explore new forms of expression through unique movements; and it returns to the essence of dance art to infuse “tradition” with new charm.

The Spark of Inspiration Between Historical Themes and a Youthful Team
Drawing inspiration from the vast tapestry of Dunhuang culture, the production brings the figures and historical tales from murals and ancient texts to life. Led by the young team of the Shenzhen Contemporary Dance Company, the performance guides audiences into the vibrant world of a thousand years ago, allowing them to experience the resonance between youthful struggle and patriotic sentiment.

Plot Structure
First Act
Presentation of the Map In the second year of the Dazhong era of the Tang Dynasty (848 AD), a delegation of messengers set out to deliver news of the recapture of Shazhou (Dunhuang), traveling through the northern desert and enduring countless hardships.In the fifth year of the Dazhong era (851 AD), only Gao Jinda, the escort commander, finally reached Chang’an. The map of Shazhou he presented was not merely proof of a conquered territory; it also bore witness to the heroic sacrifice and loyalty of a journey fraught with peril.
The Pursuit: Remnants of the pursuing forces search for the messenger’s whereabouts. Having bid a hasty farewell to their families, the messengers support one another as they set out on the long road ahead.
False Alarm: Driven by sandstorms into an inn on the frontier, the delegation nearly fell into a trap, but fortunately, the innkeeper’s wife, Shi Po, helped them escape.
Night Raid: The night conceals murder, and the swirling sand and wind bring terror. The messenger group is surrounded by their pursuers, and the souls of the heroes are scattered across the wilderness.

Second Act
Heroes: Flickering lanterns honor the fallen heroes. Life and death, love and pain intertwine as Gao Jinda reflects on the past, his mind filled with a thousand thoughts.
Desperate Situation Desert bandits trap the messenger group in a desperate situation. Master He makes the ultimate sacrifice, Feng Guiyun feigns surrender, and Gao Jinda presses on alone.
Faith  As the figures of his comrades fade into the distance, the spirit that even the wind and sand cannot erode becomes Gao Jinda’s unwavering conviction to press forward.
Prayer: From the distant homeland, the cries of the people of Shazhou echo. With no regrets for life or death, they sustain his unwavering resolve—the envoy delegation will ultimately arrive.
Presenting the Map, Return: Chang’an, 851 AD. Gao Jinda, the commander of the escort, presented the map of Shazhou (Dunhuang) on behalf of the delegation. He had personally surveyed the terrain before departure and drawn the entire map by hand upon arrival. After four arduous years, having narrowly escaped death time and again yet remaining true to every detail… thus, Dunhuang has returned.