Chunwan: The World’s Biggest Stage
In Chunwan: The World’s Biggest Stage, performers have prepared for a year to participate in the largest televised event in China. The Chunwan, or Chinese Spring Festival Gala, is a collection of amazing acts. It is televised to the entire country and is watched by billions of people. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Chinese New Year: The Biggest Celebration on Earth, a documentary series detailing the world's largest annual human migration (Chunyun), where over 1.5 billion people celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Lesson Express
Q: How long do performers prepare to participate in the Chinese Festival Gala? Why do you think they prepare for so long?
A: People prepare for a year to perform at the gala. It takes so long to prepare because the acts are so complex.
Q: The martial artists said that their routine is “second nature.” What does that mean? Can you think of something that comes “second nature” to you?
A: It means that the performers can do the act without thinking about it. Student responses will vary.
Q: Can you think of an event that you have watched that would be comparable to the Chinese Festival Gala? How is the event comparable?
A: Student responses will vary. Students may mention large televised events or shows that feature multiple acts (the Olympics, the circus, etc.).
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