Liu Qingtang facts for kids

Liu Qingtang (Chinese: 刘庆棠; pinyin: Líu Qìngtáng) was a famous Chinese ballet dancer. He was born in 1932 and passed away in 2010. He became very well known for playing the main male role, Hong Changqing, in the ballet called Red Detachment of Women. This ballet was one of the important "eight model plays" during a time in China called the Cultural Revolution. Because of his talent and his role in this famous ballet, he later became a high-ranking official in the government, serving as a Vice Minister of Culture in 1975.

Early Life and Training

Liu Qingtang was born in 1932 in a place called Gai County, which is in Liaoning Province, China. When he was a teenager in the late 1940s, he joined an art group connected to the People's Liberation Army. After the country of People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, Liu continued his dance studies. He learned about different Chinese ethnic dances and also trained in ballet in Beijing. He even traveled to the Soviet Union to study ballet further.

Becoming a Star

Liu Qingtang quickly became a recognized ballet dancer in China. In 1958, he gained a lot of attention for his performance as Prince Siegfried in the famous ballet Swan Lake. His skill and grace on stage made him a rising star.

The Red Detachment of Women

In 1964, Liu Qingtang was chosen for a very important role: Hong Changqing in the ballet Red Detachment of Women. This ballet was special because it was closely watched and supported by Jiang Qing, who was the wife of Mao Zedong, China's leader at the time. This meant the ballet was not just about art, but also had a strong political message. When the film version of the ballet was released in 1971, Liu's face became known to almost everyone in China.

Later Career

Liu Qingtang was not only a great ballet dancer but also understood how to work within the political system. This helped him advance quickly in his career outside of dance. In February 1976, he was chosen by Jiang Qing and another important person, Zhang Chunqiao, to become a Vice Minister in the Ministry of Culture. This government department is in charge of arts and culture in the country.

In the early 2000s, Liu Qingtang returned to Beijing. He decided to open his own ballet school there, sharing his knowledge and passion for dance with new generations. He passed away in 2010.