Loading...
NAIROBI, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 40 years ago, 12-year-old Matthias Kavita came to China to become one of the first Kenyan acrobats of the Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe. Today, acrobatic art from the Far East has flourished in Kenya, witnessing friendly cooperation and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
"The experience of Xi acrobatics in China was like a torch for me that lit up my artistic life. At the Acrobatic Art Theatre in Nairobi, Kenya, 52-year-old Kavita told Xinhua News Agency about his indissoluble bond with acrobatics.
Kavita high-fives a child student in encouragement at the Nairobi Acrobatic Arts Theatre in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 18, 2023. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Han Xu
The mood is full of opportunities, from China
At half past six in the morning, a group of Kenyan youths in their 20s warmed up at the Nairobi Acrobatic Art Theater. Soon after, Kavita arrives at the theater ready to start the day's lessons.
The theatre was built in the fifties of the last century, and today Kavita cooperates with a trust to train local acrobatic talents here. The office on the second floor of the theater is stacked with all kinds of acrobatic props, some from China, and the walls are covered with old photos and posters of Kavita's performances......
This profile photo shows 24 Kenyan students after their graduation performance in 1985, with Kavita in the back row, sixth from the left. Xinhua News Agency (Photo courtesy of Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe)
Back in the 80s of the last century, the Chinese and Kenyan governments reached an agreement to select some Kenyan children to go to China to receive professional training in acrobatics. According to the agreement, the children will return to their home countries to participate in performances organized by the Kenyan government and promote the art of acrobatics.
At that time, Kavita, who lived in the coastal city of Mombasa, was a primary school student who won the Kenyan primary school gymnastics championship. After several rounds of selection, he stood out from hundreds of applicants and became one of the 24 people who went to China to learn Xi acrobatics.
With joy and excitement, Kavita arrived in Guangzhou in May 1983. "The teachers of the Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe are very enthusiastic and caring for us who are new to us and young, and the warmth feels like home. Kavita recalled.
When this group of children in a foreign country cried because they were homesick, the acrobatic troupe coach always calmed them down in time with a sentence of "Mommy is here, don't cry!" "Mom is coming" has also become a Chinese phrase in the depths of Kavita's memory.
The fusion of skills, the cultivation of acrobats
The Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe was one of the most famous acrobatic troupes in China at the time, arranging a full range of acrobatic Xi and training courses for 24 Kenyan students, as well as courses in Chinese, mathematics and English.
Chinese coaches are amiable in life and strict in teaching. Thanks to the professional training of the instructors of the acrobatic troupe and the foundation of self-gymnastics, Kavita constantly challenged herself during the training process, mastered jiu-jitsu, top skills, tricks, lion dance and other skills, and became a "top student" in the eyes of the coach.
On November 18, 2023, Kavita shows a video of herself performing acrobatics in China in 1985 in her office at the Acrobatic Arts Theatre in Nairobi. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Han Xu
Learning acrobatics cannot be deliberately imitated, which was the coaching philosophy of Chinese coaches at that time. In the middle and late stages of the training, the coach often reminded the Kenyan students not to forget the "taste of home", encouraging them to combine the skills they have learned with African style and discover a unique acrobatic art. Kavita is one of the students who did the best job of this blend.
Kavita and other acrobatic students returned to China in 1985 after returning to China after the Guangzhou Acrobatic Solidarity Industry. The Kenyan government later organized these "returnees" to form the Kenya National Acrobatic Troupe, which toured the country. The organic fusion of Chinese acrobatics and African culture has attracted much attention for Kavita's performances, and she has been invited to perform in other African countries and European countries many times.
On November 11, 2023, Kavita displays her certificate of completion and an old photo of herself in China in the office of the Acrobatic Arts Theatre in Nairobi. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Han Xu
Transform coaching so that more people can live a good life
Kenya has many acrobatic performers, and those who lack professional training can only earn a small income from street performing, while those who are professionally trained can earn a better life on a better platform.
Kavita left the troupe in 1989 to become an acrobatics instructor, hoping to pass on her skills and change the lives of more young Kenyans.
"My professional acrobatics provide a viable outlet for many young people from poor families in Kenya who do not have access to a good education or a job, and acrobatics and circus performances are promising in Africa and Europe, with audiences in many countries. Kavita said.
On November 18, 2023, at the Acrobatic Arts Theatre in Nairobi, Kavita instructs children and students in Xi acrobatics. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Han Xu
After more than 30 years of coaching, Kavita has trained thousands of students to embark on the road of professional acrobats and have a more decent life. The acrobatics he teaches blends with Chinese and African cultures, from Kenya to the depths of the African continent and into the world.
"I was invited to Spain twice in 2019 and 2022 to participate in acrobatic tours. Over the years, I've been to many places in Kenya and many other countries, and my family is happy for me now. Otieno, a student of Cavita, told reporters. "For many unemployed young people in Kenya, acrobatics can really improve the family's livelihood. ”
"Acrobatics have stirred the gears of my destiny"
Kavita is currently one of Kenya's top acrobatic instructors, with students ranging from children under the age of 10 to young people in their twenties. Even some Chinese working in Kenya come to learn acrobatics and Xi their health.
Talking about the future, Kavita hopes to set up her own acrobatic art school, and looks forward to Xi going to China after nearly 40 years to learn more advanced acrobatic skills and management and operation experience, so as to take her acrobatic career to the next level, so as to help more Kenyan youth and children.
The year 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Kenya, and China and Kenya have maintained good friendship and cooperation over the years. Kavita's experience is a vivid portrayal of China's efforts to help Kenya nurture acrobatic talents.
On December 4, 2023, at the Acrobatic Arts Theatre in Nairobi, Kavita instructed students to practice Xi headstands. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Han Xu
Kavita still treasures his certificate of completion from the Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe and his photographs in China.
"My memories often take me back to 40 years ago, the appearance of those Chinese coaches, the atmosphere of Chinese cities, and my dancing youth and sweat...... It was acrobatics that pulled the gears of my destiny and gave me a professional career. Kavita said. (Text reporter: Han Xu; video reporter: Dai He, Li Cheng; Xi students: Wang Xuchen, Han Ruirui; editor: Sun Shuo; editor: Chen Dan, Cheng Dayu, Du Yuge, Xu Liyu)