After a celebrated career as a world-class ballet dancer, choreographer and finally, artistic director of the Queensland Ballet, Li Cunxin has announced he will retire.
, telling of his extraordinary rise from extreme poverty in China to performing around the world at the highest levels of ballet.The 62-year-old year old described the past 11 years at the helm of the state dance company as some of the most rewarding of his life. “I’m incredibly grateful to have been surrounded by a contagious energy, an unbreakable spirit of dancers, creatives and of course, all of our dedicated supporters,” he said.
The company would always hold a special place in his heart, he said, adding that he was confident they would be able to find an exceptional replacement who would continue the culture of excellence he helped develop throughout his tenure. When he was spotted by an American choreographer, Li was invited to participate in a summer school with the Houston Ballet; he subsequently defected to the United States, where he would meet his first wife, Elizabeth Mackay, and spend the next 16 years.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Mao’s last dancer retires: Li Cunxin takes his final bowHis memoir was turned into a much-loved film, tracing his ballet career from a small town in China to the biggest stages in the world. Now, Li Cunxin has announced his retirement.
Read more »
China insider reveals how the West gets Beijing so wrongIn a new book, the London School of Economics’ Keyu Jin says China is developing a unique economic and political playbook for the next phase of its evolution.
Read more »
China is ‘not worried about Trump’ being re-elected as US PresidentCurtin University Political Analyst Joe Siracusa says China is “not worried” about Former US president Donald Trump being re-elected because of his realist approach to foreign affairs. “But Trump gave them some trouble economically – Trump was a little sticky with them about patents and things like that, but Trump is a realist,” he told Sky News Australia. “I’d like to say that the founding fathers, who were also realists, would have regarded Donald Trump as one of their own. 'Trump plays a balance of power – he tries to shift things around and I think they’d probably get along with him very well.”
Read more »
Relationship between US and China is like a ‘broken marriage’US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described his meeting in China as “constructive” despite the United States’ relationship with the nation resembling that of a “broken marriage”, according to Curtin University political analyst Joe Siracusa. “They’re trying to avert war, I mean there’s talk about reconstructing or putting together the communication system, talk about the economic problems or mending things,” he told Sky News Australia. “But mainly they’re trying to avert war, and we got war drums going on in Congress, I mean Republicans and Democrats are spoiling for a fight, they’re putting pressure on him.”
Read more »
Chris Hipkins to hold talks with Xi Jinping in ChinaThe New Zealand Prime Minister has revealed the topics that will be up for discussion when he meets with Xi Jinping in China next week.
Read more »
US and China pledge to stabilise deteriorating ties and resume high-level talksThe United States and China pledge to mend their badly deteriorated ties during a critical visit to Beijing by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Read more »