(WEI YAO BEIJING REVIEW )

Nearly six decades ago, Mahmoud Reda, often likened to Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, founded his folk dance company, the Reda Band, with just 15 members. Today, it is one of the foremost folk dance troupes of Egypt with more than 100 members and has performed extensively abroad. 

Chinese audiences have an opportunity to enjoy the exotic Arabic dances as the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Egyptian Embassy in Beijing joined hands to bring the troupe to China. It is one of the bilateral culture exchange events organized to celebrate the 60th anniversary of China-Egypt diplomatic relations.   

(WEI YAO BEIJING REVIEW )

The troupe, today known as the Reda Folkloric Dancing Troupe began their China tour with a performance at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing on February 24. There will be three more performances, in Beijing as well as in Guangzhou in south China. The dances provide unforgettable glimpses into the Egyptians' life. 

(WEI YAO BEIJING REVIEW )

Khalid Djalal, Director General of the Department of Cultural Industry, Egypt's Ministry of Culture, told ChinAfrica  this is the troupe's third visit to China. He called it the most important performance as 2016 is the Sino-Egyptian Culture Year. "They feel very honored and privileged to be invited to perform in China to promote cultural exchanges between the two nations," Djalal said. "We hope to present the real life of Egyptians through the traditional folk dances.China and Egypt have long and glorious cultures. Holding the culture year will boost the friendship between the two peoples."

Started in January, the culture year will see music and dance performances, exhibitions and a tourism fair. There will be 102 events, with 63 hosted by China and 39 by Egypt.