HezheYimakan Folk Art Group

‘For the first time on a European stage’

The Hezhe Yimakan Folk Art Group, from Southeast China, is the first on a European stage and represents one of the smallest ethnic groups in China.

The Hezhens are a nomadic people living primarily by hunting and fishing in the plain formed by the Heilong, Songhua and Wusuli rivers in Tongjiang, Fuyuan and Raohe counties of Heilongjiang Province in northeastern China. Their language, which belongs to the Manchu-Tungusian group of the Altaic family, has no written form. They use the spoken and written Chinese language to communicate with outsiders.

The group members are composed of folk artists and heirs. Among them, there are two national heirs of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

In addition to a magic stick that is used for a special sacrificial dance, the group brings an ancient mouth organ that has been used for generations and is played when their loved ones are missing. In short, a very special participation for Op Roakeldais.