The Century Square in Heihe, Heilongjiang province, was bustling with activity on Saturday evening as the friendship invitational tournament of the Heihe Dance Competition kicked off.
Twelve top dance teams from China and Russia competed on the same stage, with performances transitioning between ethnic, national, hip-hop, trendy, and Russian-style dances. The audience swayed to the rhythm, forming a light show with glow sticks.
The event was also broadcast online.
As a major cultural event of the 2026 China-Russia Cultural Festival, the Heihe Dance Competition has attracted 68 teams and over 1,300 dancers from home and abroad. It will span a month, from June 20 to July 25, with city friendship matches, youth college competitions, research and creative sharing competitions, and mysterious carnival nights held every Saturday evening.
