Chinese Kung Fu show enchants audience at Istanbul university

The Charm of Chinese Kung Fu tour kicked off on Tuesday evening at Bogazici University in Istanbul, enchanting the audience with a mixture of Chinese martial arts and dances.

The show not only allowed the audience to feel the unique charm of Chinese martial arts, but also provided information about its origins.

The performers from the art troupe of the Beijing-based Capital University of Physical Education and Sports displayed the origin of kung fu by performing “fights” between hunters and animals in ancient times.

They also showed the art of kung fu through tribal sacrifices by combining the martial arts and dance in ancient China, and kung fu in war by demonstrating a scene in which Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first person ever to unify China, calls up his troops to fight a battle.

By using swords, umbrellas, folding fans, writing brushes and long sleeves as weapons, the performers demonstrated the demeanors of martial arts masters as shown in numerous kung fu films.

Some members of the Turkey Wushu Kung Fu national team also joined in.

As the Chinese martial arts are drawing more and more learners from around the world, Shi Longlong, a Chinese kung fu champion, had a lively interaction with some Turks on the stage by teaching them ABCs of the art.

Yusuf Tuna, a Bogazici sophomore, has watched many kung fu films.

“What I saw here was something else. Their performances were amazing. The entire show was the best action movie I have ever seen,” he said.

Ali Kazan, Tuna’s friend, is also “very interested” in the martial arts.

“I’m fascinated by the way they performed. I wish I could attend their classes in their country,” he said.

The tour, spOnsored by the Confucius Institute Headquarters in Beijing, will visit other universities in Istanbul before heading to other cities in Turkey.