The Flower-Drum Lantern Dance in Fengyang is a folk art integrating singing, dancing, and drum playing, and it enjoyed popularity in Randeng Town and Xiaoxihe Town in Fengyang County. “Flower drum" used to be the leading musical instrument of folk music in Fengyang. In the early Ming Dynasty, residents in Fengyang went out to busk and hummed the tune everywhere, and Fengyang Flower Drum was gradually formed. With the passage of time, the drum, strips to hit the drum and even the drumming method of the Flower-Drum Lantern Dance are constantly changing. In the early 1950s, literary and art workers adopted new methods in creation and performance, and eliminated small gong from the Flower-Drum Lantern Dance. Famous for its vivid rhythms, passionate atmosphere, elegant poses, fine performances, and artistic charm, the Flower-Drum Lantern Dance is very popular with audience, and now it has become a splendid "oriental ballet" in the world art circles.

(Photo/Cheng Zhao)