Chinese dance spectacular confirmed for 2019 Edinburgh international Festival

The Edinburgh International Festival has unveiled plans to bring a major new Chinese dance spectacular to the event in 2019.

Chinese dance superstar Yang Liping's new version of the classic ballet Rite of Passage will be staged in Edinburgh next year.

Organisers have revealed that "superstar choreographer" Yang Liping will be masterminding an adaptation of Stravinsky's classic ballet Rite of Spring.

The show, which will be coming to the 2019 event after it receives its premiere at the Shanghai International Arts Festival in the autumn, will draw inspiration from Chinese folk dance, symbols of nature and traditional music.

The show, which was announced in China during the ongoing visit of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

It has been confirmed under an official cultural partnership between Scotland and China signed seven years ago.

Ms Sturgeon said: "I'm pleased that an agreement has been reached to bring this wonderful performance to Edinburgh.

"Yang Liping is a world-renowned choreographer and I am certain it will be one of the highlights of next year’s Edinburgh International Festival.

"This is a perfect example of the strong cultural links that exist between Scotland and China."

Joanna Baker, managing director of the EIF, said: " We are thrilled to bring this remarkable reworking of the Rite of Spring to Edinburgh, marking the International Festival debut of Yang Liping.

"Yang is a superstar choreographer in China – she embodies a unique fusion of ancient and modern Chinese traditions.

"It’s exciting to showcase her work in Edinburgh where it can be enjoyed by dance fans from all over the world."