Young Performers Melt Hearts

at the Shanghai Expo Opening

A troupe of tiny dancers acted as corps de ballet to artists performing at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Shanghai Expo. Dressed in the national costumes of various Asian countries, the children swirled colorful streamers, flourished the blue Haibao Shanghai Expo mascot, danced to the beat of Japanese singer Shinji Tanimura and provided a colorful background to the aria sung by Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli. Throughout several quick changes of costume and props, their smiles remained constant.

These young dancers are from the CWI (China Welfare Institute) Children's Palace Little Companion Art Troupe. Having been to France in 2002 to perform during the bidding to host the 2010 World Expo, the children's role as young hosts of the Shanghai Expo seemed all the more appropriate.

The Shanghai Expo Organizing Committee has booked the Little Companion Art Troupe – the sole non-professional troupe appearing at the expo – to perform 17 self-choreographed productions at 11 venues, including the Cultural Square. They will also perform with a troupe of American children at the U.S.A. Pavilion.

Chinese Child Ambassadors

The 800-member CWI Children's Palace Little Companion Art Troupe is the first of its kind in Shanghai, and is also China's most famous children's art troupe. Founded in 1955 by Soong Ching Ling (Mme. Sun Yat-sen), honorary president of the People's Republic of China, it includes seven companies where children are trained in singing, dancing, musical instruments, acting, folk theatrical arts, calligraphy, painting and handicrafts.

In the more than 50 years since it was established, many artists have risen from it to personal fame. The career of celebrated artist Chen Yifei began with the troupe, as did the global fame of opera singer Huang Ying, who won acclaim when she took the leading role in Madame Butterfly.