Cultural Exchange: Dashan’s Vision for a Utopian Future
China News Service, Beijing, January 24 – Renowned performer Dashan, also known as Mark James Rowswell, recently sat down for an exclusive interview to share his thoughts on cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries. With a career spanning over 30 years, he has been a key figure in bridging cultural gaps and promoting mutual understanding.
Dashan’s return to China after nearly four years marks a new chapter in his career, as he takes on the lead role in the Chinese version of “The Shawshank Redemption,” a play currently touring various cities across China. For Dashan, the essence of the story lies in the theme of hope, which he believes resonates strongly with Chinese audiences.
“The performance must resonate with the audience,” Dashan emphasizes. He views cultural exchanges as a means of cultivating international consciousness, where people can appreciate and accept different cultures while recognizing the commonalities in human nature. Despite the initial differences he observed between Chinese and foreign cultures, Dashan has grown to see the underlying similarities, which he strives to highlight in his work.
In recent years, Dashan has devoted more energy to his self-media column “Dashan Reading Poetry,” where he explores the international expression of ancient Chinese poetry through a combination of Chinese recitation and Western music. His goal is to find resonance points that embody the common humanity conveyed by ancient Chinese poetry.
As he looks to the future, Dashan plans to create a live performance centered around poetry recitation, combined with a talk show format and musical elements. He hopes to create a joyful atmosphere that transcends cultural boundaries and brings people together.
At the core of his vision is the desire to build a utopia where distinctions between China and foreign countries blur, fostering a world of unity and understanding. With his unwavering dedication to promoting cultural exchanges, Dashan continues to inspire and uplift audiences with his innovative approach to bridging cultural gaps.