Mystery 196 Ba Wang Bian 霸王鞭 – Ancestral Dialogues

The World Human Forum, in collaboration with 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture, presents Mystery 196 Ba Wang Bian 霸王鞭 on 25 September at the Old Oll Mill Factory Amphitheater. This international production arrives in the mythical location of Eleusis as part of Mystery 299: 2nd International Symposion for a New Eleusis. The performance draws inspiration from the folk culture of China’s Yunnan province and the ancient Greek myth of Persephone, weaving a masterful narrative that connects the traditions of Ancient Greece and China.

The work is a compelling blend of tradition and modernity, choreographed and performed by Maya Jilan Dong, aiming to bring this lost artistic treasure back to public attention. Maya draws from the folk dances of the Bai people from her homeland in Yunnan, China, creating her own democratized approach. The performance does not strictly follow the plot of the myth, but it highlights a timeless and fundamental aspect of the human experience. The three protagonists embody the spirit of growth, memory, and longing. Through the interaction of mother and daughter, unfolding in the eternal cycle of time, the work invites us to reconsider the concept of “humanity” in the modern age, envisioning the creation of a more just and connected humanity. The work is curated and introduced by Farooq Chaudhry.

Mystery 196 Ba Wang Bian 霸王鞭 – Ancestral Dialogues, produced by Attiki Cultural Society and Fengling Productions, is part of Mystery 299: 2nd International Symposion for a New Eleusis, under the theme Mysteries of Flourishing: Ancient Roots – Modern Blossoms, organized by the World Human Forum in collaboration with the 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture. The innovative three-day symposium, inspired by the Aristotelian concept of Eudaimonia, will take place from 25 to 27 September at the former IRIS paint factory in Eleusis.

About the Creators:

Maya Jilan Dong hails from the Bai ethnic group and grew up in a rural village, close to nature, the land, trees, water, and animals. The Bai are a minority group living in Yunnan province in southwestern China. In 2004, when Maya was twelve, the iconic Chinese choreographer Yang Liping recognized her talent and invited her to join the Yang Liping Yunnan Arts and Culture Company. Maya has danced in Yang’s most significant works, including Dynamic Yunnan, Under Siege, and Winter Peacock.

Farooq Chaudhry is the co-founder and producer of the Akram Khan Company and was recognized by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs as one of the top 100 cultural influencers and entrepreneurs globally (2008). He is the international creative producer for China’s iconic dancer Yang Liping and served as a producer at the English National Ballet from 2013 to 2017. In 2019, he was honored with an OBE for his services to Dance and Dance Production.

A co-production of Akram Khan Company, Sadler’s Wells London, and Peacock Contemporary Dance Company. Adaptation and presentation for the outdoor space of the Olive Mill in Eleusis
by Attiki Cultural Society – Feng Ling Productions 2024. Initiated by the World Human Forum.