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Chen Ailian (陈爱莲)
1963-01 1963年 陈爱莲.jpg
Born (1939-12-24)24 December 1939
Panyu, Guangdong
Died 21 November 2020(2020-11-21) (aged 80)
Nationality Chinese
Occupation Dancer, dance teacher

Chen Ailian (Chinese: 陈爱莲) was a famous Chinese dancer. She was born on December 24, 1939. Chen Ailian became known for her amazing dance skills. She performed many important roles during her career. She passed away on November 21, 2020, at the age of 80.

Life of Chen Ailian

Chen Ailian was born in Shanghai, China. Her family's hometown was Panyu, Guangdong province. She faced challenges early in life. Her father passed away in 1950. Her mother died the following year, in 1951. This left Chen Ailian, at age 11, to care for her younger sister.

Becoming a Dancer

In 1952, Chen Ailian began her dance journey. She became a student at the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing. This is a very important school for performing arts. There, she trained in different dance styles. She learned both classical Chinese dance and classical ballet. She studied with teachers who were famous around the world.

Her Dance Career

By 1963, Chen Ailian was a main dancer. She joined the China Opera and Dance-Drama Theatre. She was very skilled in many types of dance. She was especially good at classical Chinese dance and folk dance. In 1959, she played the main role in a pantomime. This was a silent play told through dance. The play was called Fish-Beauty (《鱼美人》).

Chen Ailian also held an important position. She served as the vice chairwoman of the Chinese Dancers Association. This group supports dancers in China.

Her Final Wish

Chen Ailian passed away on November 21, 2020. She was 80 years old. Before she died, she had a special request. She asked her family to help her put on a dance costume. It was the costume from her performance of A Moonlit Night among Flowers by the Spring River (Chinese: 春江花月夜). She wanted to "leave the world without any regrets." This showed her deep love for dance.

Famous Dance Performances

Chen Ailian performed lead roles in many dance dramas. These are like plays told through dance. Some of her most famous performances include:

  • Lady of the Sea《鱼美人》
  • Red Flag《红旗》
  • White Haired Girl《白毛女》
  • Dagger Society《小刀会》
  • Princess Wencheng《文成公主》
  • Dream of the Red Chamber《红楼梦》
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