The composer, Qian Qi, takes a break from his busy schedule. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Ancient art inspires shows based on Dunhuang murals and ethnic traditions, Chen Nan reports.

When composer Qian Qi was commissioned to write a piece of music about Dunhuang in Gansu province — an important hub on the ancient Silk Road, where cultures from the East and the West met centuries ago — he was inspired by the images in the ancient cave murals, such as Buddhist statues, camels and Flying Apsaras, female gods of song and dance.

"I have traveled to Dunhuang many times and each time I went, I was captivated by the Mogao Caves, the renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site, and stories about the ancient Silk Road," says Qian.

The piece was featured in one of the gala performances celebrating the 2023 Beijing Culture Forum, which was held on Sept 14 and 15.

The two-day event, hosted by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the CPC Beijing municipal committee and the Beijing municipal government, took place in the capital — itself an ancient city and national cultural center — to promote cultural exchange and deepen mutual learning among civilizations.