Decades after Martin Luther King's defiant condemnation of racial discrimination, a group of Chinese disabled artists voiced their dream and tugged at audience's heartstrings in a wonderful performance, called My Dream, in Beijing on Monday night.
On the stage, a blind pianist played Beethoven's "Piano Trio No. 3 in C minor". Deaf girls coordinated their movements harmoniously to the music of "Guanyin with thousands of hands". And handicapped young men expressed their dreams and goals in life in the ballad dance "Life's winds".
The excellent performance won thunderous applause from an audience obviously impressed and deeply moved by such great courage and effort to stand up to life's challenges.
Among the audience were Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee, Hui Liangyu, vice premier of the State Council, and Chen Zhili, a State Councilor.
Established 16 years ago, the China Disabled Art Troupe consists of deaf, blind, physically and mentally handicapped persons. Hailed as "envoys of beauty and friendship", they have given performances all around China, and toured over 40 foreign countries and regions.
This performance was staged to celebrate the 4th Conference of the China Disabled Persons' Federation.
(CCTV.com September 10, 2003)
