The Dictionary of Soul

Created by award-winning director and choreographer Li Ning,Dictionary of the Soul depicts people’s “souls” in a physical and powerful way. The piece consists of two main parts, the first part shows a desperate working course in an abstract factory with only stones, the second part is a ritual of the “death”and “rebirth”of the workers from the factory.

Don’t ask what soul is.
It can be felt only.
Soul can’t be defined and showed by performance
This works is not drama; drama is only a piece of cloth of soul.
No performance,
All performance is left behind
In the end the body and all clothing are got rid of
What left is
Soul!

All Performances Presented in Chinese with English Subtitles!

"In the field of the Chinese experimental drama, Li Ning is a one not to be neglected."
—Chen Luanluan, Professional Drama Critic

“Director Li Ning is like a social observer paying attention to the current problems that people in the state of paralysis are farther and farther away from passion. He put the Theatre of Cruelty on the Chinese stage, trying to carry out the serous and deep dialogue with the audience."
—Su Rong, Professional Drama Critic

ABOUT THE CREATIVE CHINA FESTIVAL

Creative China Festival is committed to becoming a platform to nurture innovative creators and foster in-depth collaborations between China and the US in the fields of contemporary arts and culture. CCF shares the influential and dynamic works of Chinese contemporary arts and culture through 80 events in 8 cities during 200 days, including discussions, films, dances, theater, music, design, art, youth program, artist talks, workshops, fellowships, family programs, publication grants, US arts delegations to China, and arts study tours.

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