Source: CCTV.com

09-12-2006 09:49

The Ethnic Arts Festival has reached day seven. And one of the dance dramas unfolds a gorgeous tapestry of Tibetan culture. "The Path From Tang to Tubo" revives, on stage, the story of Princess Wencheng, and her marriage to the Tibetan King.

About 1300 years ago, Songtsan Gambo, king of Tibet, dispatched an envoy to Chang'an, capital of the Tang Empire. The courier presented a request to the Emperor, for a bride. And, seeking peace in the region, the emperor promptly agreed, sending 16-year-old Princess Wencheng on her 3,000-kilometer matrimonial journey.

The drama details Wencheng's travels in six episodes, each presenting more Tibetan attire and customs.

The drama incorporates all kinds of traditional Tibetan attire, from different periods. Here, singing and dancing are subservient to the tale being told.

The story has been cherished by both Han and Tibetan people, through the centuries. Princess Wencheng still serves as a model, for bringing different cultures together, and ushering in friendship.

Editor:Luyuying